strive harder

USAGE SUMMARY

"strive harder" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the need to put in more effort or to encourage someone to do so. For example, "If you want to reach your goals, you'll have to strive harder than ever before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

He expressed solidarity and encouraged Muslims to strive harder to become full members of Italian society.

The New York Times

And he acknowledged criticism that his government lacked political experience and promised to strive harder for efficiency.

The New York Times

It leads film makers to strive harder to create the perfect scene, and songwriters to dig deeper for the most pleasing melody.

The New York Times

Often, it's an editor's voice that photographers hear in the back of their mind, urging them to strive harder for the defining image.

The New York Times

Ergo, American teams spend more (well, spend more cagily, given the salary cap) and strive harder to win Cups, while Canadian teams can afford to coast.

The New Yorker

In other words, it diminishes revenues by providing a disincentive to those wealth-creators to strive harder and take more risks.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

"We strive hard but can barely afford two meals a day".

The Guardian

"There is nothing to be jealous of, strive hard and work hard, and anyone is capable of success".

The Guardian

Noronha, born of Indian and African parents, was constantly in conflict with racial prejudice and had to strive hard for an education.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Though Freud was never given to preaching, his guidance was surely that anyone aspiring to think in a clear-headed fashion ought to strive hard to be honest about his or her emotional biases.

The New York Times

Closer to home, Pranab Mukherjee chose to play it safe in his first Diwali greeting as president, saying in a written statement that we should "channelize our energies towards vanquishing want and suffering and strive hard for collective growth".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strive harder" when you want to convey a sense of urgency or strong encouragement to improve performance or achieve a goal. It emphasizes a determined effort to overcome challenges.

Common error

Avoid using "strive harder" in contexts where a simple effort or improvement is sufficient. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly dramatic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strive harder" functions as a directive and motivational expression. It's used to encourage increased effort and determination toward achieving a goal. Ludwig AI confirms this aligns with typical usage, as seen in various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

20%

Huffington Post

16%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedia Britannica

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strive harder" is a commonly used phrase that encourages increased effort and determination, mainly observed in News & Media. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and functions as a motivational expression. While versatile, it's best used when emphasizing a determined effort is needed to overcome significant challenges and the alternatives "try harder", "work harder" and "make a greater effort" are applicable in less demanding situations. Remember, while impactful, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly dramatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try harder

This alternative is more general and less emphatic than "strive harder".

work harder

This alternative focuses on the effort put into work, being more specific in application.

make a greater effort

This alternative focuses on the degree of effort exerted.

push oneself harder

This alternative refers to self-exertion more directly.

exert more effort

This alternative is slightly more formal and emphasizes the application of effort.

endeavor more diligently

This alternative conveys a sense of careful and persistent effort.

apply oneself more

This alternative emphasizes dedication and focus.

go the extra mile

This alternative is more idiomatic and refers to exceeding expectations.

step up one's game

This alternative is more informal and refers to improving performance.

dig deeper

This alternative suggests exploring resources and inner potential with greater intensity.

FAQs

How can I use "strive harder" in a sentence?

You can use "strive harder" to encourage greater effort towards a goal. For example, "To achieve success, you must "strive harder" than ever before."

What is a less intense alternative to "strive harder"?

If "strive harder" seems too strong, consider using "try harder" or "work harder", which convey effort without the same level of intensity.

When is it appropriate to use "strive harder" instead of "try harder"?

"Strive harder" is appropriate when you want to emphasize a determined and persistent effort, particularly when facing significant challenges. "Try harder" is more general and suitable for less demanding situations.

What does it mean to "strive harder" in a professional context?

In a professional setting, to "strive harder" means to "make a greater effort" to improve performance, exceed expectations, and achieve organizational goals through dedicated and persistent work.