strive for understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strive for understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the concept of working towards understanding or knowledge about something. For example: "I strive for understanding of the complex workings of the global economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

(3) Strive for understanding.

Harvard Business Review

As Ella Ingram and Craig Nelson (2006: 20) put it, "we believe that understanding evolution is more important than accepting evolution, and indeed that, ethically, we should ask students to strive for understanding prior to making decisions regarding acceptance of any theory".

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The potential for conflict is high as China, the new kid on the block, appears to challenge the U.S. across the globe, but so are the prospects for peace as leaders of goodwill on both sides, appreciating the global nature of the relationship and the consequences of its breakdown into conflict, strive for understanding.

HuffPost

Indeed, the effects make be properly judged as more pernicious since their very reason for being is to strive for understanding in an honest, transparent manner through the acquisition of factual knowledge and its rigorous analysis.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Possibly, when PTs themselves were striving for understanding of the new approach, asking them to analyze a problematic textbook page would increase their work-load.

International Journal of STEM Education

Not talking in a vacuum but talking in a context of mutual striving for understanding and a mutual desire to learn (which requires that one not have all the answers already).

HuffPost

He asked for understanding.

The New York Times

To avoid such confusion, you should strive for basic understanding but need not be overly fastidious in doing so when the subjects' responses will not vary.

The New York Times - Magazine

By exploring a range of approaches and situations, we will strive for deeper understanding of ourselves and of the context to become a more capable, empathetic and effective leaders.

Stanford University

It may also encourage everyone to strive for greater understanding and mutual respect.

Forbes

By the same token, it gives those individuals, particularly our leaders who have participated in the practice, an opportunity to lead the charge in addressing the inappropriateness of blackface and, importantly, exploring how we must strive for racial understanding now and in the future.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "strive for understanding", ensure the context clearly indicates what you are trying to understand. Be specific to avoid ambiguity. For example, "strive for understanding of the opposing viewpoint" is clearer than simply "strive for understanding".

Common error

Avoid using "strive for understanding" as a generic statement. It's stronger when tied to a specific subject or situation. Instead of saying "We all need to strive for understanding", specify the area needing understanding, such as "We must strive for understanding of different cultures".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strive for understanding" functions as a directive, urging effort toward achieving comprehension. According to Ludwig, it is a grammatically sound and readily usable expression. This phrase often serves to encourage a proactive approach to learning and relating to new information or perspectives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strive for understanding" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase that encourages active pursuit of knowledge and empathy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. When writing, aim for specificity to strengthen the phrase and avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "work toward comprehension" and "seek insight", each offering subtle shifts in meaning. By appreciating its context and related phrases, writers can effectively use "strive for understanding" to promote meaningful communication and comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to understand

Uses simpler and more direct language, suitable for informal contexts.

seek to comprehend

Similar to "try to understand" but slightly more formal, replacing "try" with "seek".

work toward comprehension

Replaces "strive" with "work toward" and "understanding" with "comprehension", focusing on the effort involved.

make an effort to comprehend

Emphasizes the effort component, highlighting the active attempt to understand.

desire to understand

Focuses on the inherent desire for understanding, portraying it as a natural inclination.

seek insight

Replaces "understanding" with "insight", suggesting a deeper level of comprehension.

aspire to understanding

Emphasizes the aspirational quality of seeking understanding, implying a higher goal.

aim for clarity

Focuses on achieving clarity as the goal of understanding, shifting the emphasis slightly.

pursue knowledge

Substitutes the entire phrase with a more general term, emphasizing the acquisition of knowledge rather than the effort to understand.

endeavor to grasp

Uses more formal language, replacing "strive" with "endeavor" and "understanding" with "grasp", indicating a serious effort to comprehend.

FAQs

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

You can use "strive for understanding" to express a dedicated effort toward comprehension, as in "We must "strive for understanding" of different perspectives to foster better communication."

What are some alternatives to "strive for understanding"?

Alternatives include "work toward comprehension", "seek insight", or "pursue knowledge", each carrying slightly different nuances.

Which is correct: "strive for understanding" or "strive to understand"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but ""strive for understanding"" emphasizes the goal of achieving understanding, while "strive to understand" focuses on the action of trying to understand.

What's the difference between "strive for understanding" and "seek to comprehend"?

"Strive for understanding" suggests a continuous and dedicated effort, while "seek to comprehend" indicates a more deliberate and focused attempt to understand something specific.