strive for greatness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strive for greatness" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to encourage someone to work hard and aim for excellence in their endeavors. For example, "We should all strive for greatness, no matter what our goals are."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

When you strive for greatness, great things happen and life takes on a whole new meaning.

Huffington Post

What first made them strive for greatness?

The Guardian - Film

You can go out there and you can strive for greatness.

The New York Times - Sports

Daniel Pinkwater's books don't strive for greatness; they don't seem to be trying at all.

The New York Times - Books

It's a strong incentive for sellers to strive for greatness and grow their eBay business," she said.

The New York Times - Tech

The Chinese billionaire paced around a huge stage, TED talk style, trying to inspire U.S. entrepreneurs to strive for greatness.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"She wants to play great every game and she strives for greatness, which is what makes her so good".

The New York Times - Sports

Striving for greatness was the last thing on his mind.

The New York Times

Some people spend a whole lifetime striving for greatness.

The Guardian - Sport

This is an album that strives for greatness but will settle for competence.

The New Yorker

Rather than striving for greatness, challenge yourself to just accomplish the task at hand — answer the question, provide the feedback, introduce your colleague.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strive for greatness" to inspire ambition and a commitment to high standards in personal and professional contexts. This phrase is particularly effective when encouraging individuals or teams to exceed ordinary expectations.

Common error

Avoid limiting "strive for greatness" to only large-scale achievements. Greatness can also be found in consistent dedication to smaller tasks and continuous self-improvement. Encourage a holistic view that encompasses both ambition and everyday efforts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strive for greatness" primarily functions as an infinitive phrase acting as a motivational statement or exhortation. As noted by Ludwig AI, it encourages and inspires individuals or entities to pursue excellence and high achievement. The phrase sets a direction for dedicated effort.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

19%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "strive for greatness" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression that encourages the pursuit of excellence and high achievement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. It is most commonly found in News & Media, Formal & Business settings, and Academia, indicating a neutral to professional register. While it is relatively common, it’s important to use it thoughtfully, ensuring the focus remains on both ambitious goals and the consistent dedication required to achieve them. Consider alternatives like "aspire to excellence" or "pursue excellence" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Aspire to excellence

Replaces "greatness" with "excellence", focusing on a high quality standard of performance.

Pursue excellence

Emphasizes the act of actively chasing and trying to reach excellence.

Aim for the top

Uses a more direct and competitive metaphor, suggesting striving for the highest position.

Reach for the stars

Employs a more figurative and inspirational expression, highlighting ambition.

Seek distinction

Focuses on standing out and being recognized for outstanding qualities.

Endeavor for superiority

Highlights the effort to achieve a state of being better than others.

Work towards mastery

Suggests focusing on deep understanding and skill in a specific area.

Push for perfection

Implies striving for an unattainable ideal, often involving meticulous effort.

Give it your all

Focuses on putting maximum effort into any endeavor, aiming for the best possible outcome.

Go the extra mile

Suggests exceeding expectations and putting in additional effort to achieve outstanding results.

FAQs

How can I use "strive for greatness" in a sentence?

You can use "strive for greatness" to express a desire to achieve excellence, as in "We should all strive for greatness in our chosen fields" or "The company encourages its employees to strive for greatness".

What's a good alternative to "strive for greatness"?

Alternatives include "aspire to excellence", "pursue excellence", or "aim for the top", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it better to "strive for greatness" or "strive for success"?

"Strive for greatness" implies a broader and more impactful goal than "strive for success". Success can be narrowly defined, while greatness suggests a lasting and significant achievement. The best choice depends on the specific goal you want to emphasize.

What does it mean to "strive for greatness"?

To "strive for greatness" means to consistently work towards achieving the highest possible standards in a particular endeavor. It involves dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to continuous improvement.