strive to acquire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strive to acquire" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a desire or effort to obtain something, whether it be knowledge, skills, or material possessions. Example: "In order to succeed in this competitive market, we must strive to acquire new technologies and innovative solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

More likely, however, the rewards India and North Koreaareareapinging will encourage countries without the bomb to strive to acquire one as soon as possible.

The Economist

For example, some collectors strive to acquire a complete set of portraits of notable figures in either a narrow or a very broad field.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In this situation a smaller individual should strive to acquire acceptance by the dominants as a brood care helper to prevent eviction from the territory.

Animal Behaviour

Datoga, on the other hand, subsist through pastoral farming and are patrilineal and polygynous, and males strive to acquire wives throughout their lifetime with little direct involvement in parenting.

Evolutionary Applications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It is striving to acquire or develop nuclear weapons, but there is no evidence it has succeeded.

The New York Times

But oil analysts said they saw symbolism in the move, particularly when Chinese companies were striving to acquire much larger oil reserves in Africa and Latin America.

The New York Times

Neuroscientists have long strived to acquire a complete understanding of how the nervous system works.

Nano Convergence

Therefore, students who pursue interpersonal goals in learning, striving to acquire knowledge and improve their skills in that domain, are more likely to report better perception of their ability to cope with their patients' psychosocial needs.

BMC Medical Education

Based on the note that the catalog has to be uniformed in seismic hazard analysis, all magnitude scales should be transformed to a single scale like MS. For this purpose, the initial strive is to acquire a correlation between MS and Mb by considering information that is provided by earthquake catalog of the studied region.

International Journal of Advanced Structural Engineering (IJASE)

For most of us in music, technique, whether with the baton, the voice, an instrument, or the composer's pencil, is something we strive and strain to acquire, hoping that we'll gain enough of it to give wings to whatever artistic insights we can muster.

The New Yorker

Even though IVF patients might be assumed to attach particular value to embryos, since they have strived so hard to acquire them, they are still a relatively neglected constituency in debates about embryo donation (Haimes and Luce, 2006).

Human Reproduction

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strive to acquire" when you want to emphasize the effort and determination involved in obtaining something, whether it's a skill, knowledge, or possession.

Common error

While "strive to acquire" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or pretentious in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "try to get" or "aim to obtain" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strive to acquire" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It indicates the reason or objective behind an action, outlining what someone is attempting to achieve through their efforts, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "strive to acquire" is a grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to express the purpose of actively working towards obtaining something. While Ludwig indicates it's perfectly acceptable in written English, its usage is relatively rare and leans toward formal contexts, appearing most frequently in scientific and news media. Alternatives such as "endeavor to attain" or "seek to obtain" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. When aiming to express dedication and effort in gaining something, "strive to acquire" remains a precise and suitable option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endeavor to attain

Replaces "strive" with "endeavor", adding a slightly more formal tone, and "acquire" with "attain", which emphasizes reaching a goal.

seek to obtain

Substitutes "strive" with "seek", indicating a deliberate search, and "acquire" with "obtain", which suggests gaining possession.

work towards gaining

Replaces "strive" with "work towards", focusing on the effort involved, and "acquire" with "gaining", which highlights the process of obtaining.

aim to secure

Changes "strive" to "aim", emphasizing intention, and "acquire" to "secure", implying protection or certainty in obtaining.

aspire to achieve

Replaces "strive" with "aspire", conveying a sense of ambition, and "acquire" with "achieve", focusing on accomplishment.

pursue to gain

Substitutes "strive" with "pursue", indicating a sustained effort, and "acquire" with "gain", which is a more general term for obtaining.

try to get

Simplifies the language by using "try" instead of "strive" and "get" instead of "acquire", making it more informal.

make an effort to obtain

Expands the phrase to emphasize the effort involved in obtaining something.

seek to gain possession of

Substitutes the main verb with a more descriptive and formal alternative.

strive for

This phrase emphasizes the effort made in the pursuit of something desirable but does not guarantee obtaining it.

FAQs

How can I use "strive to acquire" in a sentence?

You can use "strive to acquire" to indicate a dedicated effort to obtain something. For example: "Students should "strive to acquire" knowledge and skills that will help them succeed."

What are some alternatives to "strive to acquire"?

Some alternatives include "endeavor to attain", "seek to obtain", or "work towards gaining" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "strive to acquire" formal or informal?

"Strive to acquire" leans towards the formal side. In more casual settings, phrases like "try to get" or "aim to obtain" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "strive to acquire" and "strive for"?

"Strive to acquire" suggests an effort to obtain or gain something specific, while "strive for" indicates an effort towards achieving a more general goal or ideal. For example, one might "strive to acquire" new skills, but "strive for" excellence.