strive harder for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strive harder for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are encouraging someone to put greater effort into achieving a goal. For example, "Your grades have been slipping, so strive harder for that A+ on the next test!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

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

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

Employees who feel that they are listened to and who see evidence of their input being used are more likely to be loyal, strive harder for the business, and remain with it.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Supply chain partners strive hard for operational business excellence, enhanced integrated value chain and sustainable competitive advantage under mass-customization/globalization challenges.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

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

Encyclopedia Britannica

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

May the winner strive hard for the growth and protection of our prosperity and freedom more than their own ends.

Huffington Post

I never want to feel that way again, and that motivates me to strive hard for balance without cutting anything that I truly enjoy, but while also knowing I can't have it all the time," Seacrest told Men's Fitness.

Huffington Post

Some at Annie Wright strove harder for grades than others, but this seemed to be a matter of temperament rather than need.

The New Yorker

At least 10% of employees must get Cs, she said, which means everyone strives harder for the higher grades.

Los Angeles Times

The team lost only two matches during the tour, with Wisden saying, "No travelling team ever strove harder for victory or more completely subordinated all personal considerations to the prime object of winning matches.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "strive harder for", ensure the object of your striving is clearly defined. For example, "strive harder for excellence" provides a clear target.

Common error

Avoid using "strive harder for" repeatedly in formal writing. It can sound redundant. Consider using synonyms like "dedicate more effort to" or "intensify efforts for" to vary your language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strive harder for" functions as a directive, urging increased effort towards a specific objective. It builds upon the inherent effort implied by "strive" by adding the intensifier "harder". The Ludwig AI validates its usage as an encouragement to greater application.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "strive harder for" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that encourages increased effort towards a particular goal. While Ludwig shows it isn't as common as other similar phrases, it's widely accepted and understood. It's versatile and can be used in various contexts, though it should be used judiciously in very formal writing to avoid redundancy. Remember to clearly define what you're striving for when using this phrase to maximize its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try harder for

Similar in meaning, but uses "try" which implies less commitment than "strive".

push harder for

Emphasizes forceful action and determination in pursuing a goal.

work harder towards

Focuses on the effort expended and the direction of that effort.

endeavor more for

"Endeavor" is more formal than "strive" and suggests a serious attempt.

make a greater effort for

More descriptive, explicitly stating the increase in effort.

exert more energy for

Highlights the expenditure of energy in pursuit of something.

apply oneself more diligently to

More formal and emphasizes attentiveness and dedication.

dedicate more effort to

Focuses on allocating more resources towards achieving a goal.

intensify efforts for

Suggests making current efforts stronger or more concentrated.

strain more for

"Strain" suggests pushing oneself to the limit, implying significant difficulty.

FAQs

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

You can use "strive harder for" to express the need for increased effort towards a specific goal. For example, "We must strive harder for a more sustainable future".

What are some alternatives to "strive harder for"?

Alternatives include "try harder for", "push harder for", or "dedicate more effort to", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "strive harder for"?

Yes, "strive harder for" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to encourage greater effort. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and proper usage.

What's the difference between "strive for" and "strive harder for"?

"Strive for" implies making an effort, while "strive harder for" suggests increasing the existing effort to achieve a desired outcome. It emphasizes the need for more intense dedication.