strive to appear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strive to appear" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing efforts to create a certain impression or to be perceived in a specific way. Example: "In her role as a leader, she strives to appear confident and approachable to her team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

2. It's not enough to be on a daytime show - strive to appear in the ads as well.

The Guardian

In this sacrament, petitioners strive to appear both learned and humane, while the hosts serve as self-appointed prelates for the public.

The New York Times

Hollywood being the intellectual inverse of Washington, where smart people strive to appear less brainy than they really are, everyone loves that Cooper can parler.

The New Yorker

It's a form of acting". Even when teachers strive to appear invisible and "get out of the way of the material," that is a calculated act, Weisberg said.

Stanford University

To me, the reverse mindset – the insistence by magazines for allegedly intelligent adults that grown women must strive to appear as childlike as possible if they are to be sexually attractive to men – is equally objectionable and wrong-headed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unfortunately, unlike race or gender, socioeconomic diversity may be difficult for instructors to detect in their classes, as students may strive to appear middle-class in order to self-normalize.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Trump generally strives to appear presidential when delivering major speeches.

The Washington Post

When we discussed Univision, Rubio strove to appear nonchalant, while dismissing the network's influence.

The New Yorker

Mr. Obama often boxes careful rounds with Mrs. Clinton, rationing his jabs while striving to appear unflappable.

The New York Times

Rick Warren, by far California's most influential pastor, strives to appear non-partisan.And Republicans are hardly presenting a united front against gay marriage this year.

The Economist

ONE telling moment on "Michael," the first full album of posthumous Michael Jackson songs, is a snippet that might never have appeared during his life: a backstage glimpse of a performer who always strove to appear perfectly polished.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strive to appear" when you want to convey a conscious effort and intention to project a certain image or quality. This implies more than just a superficial attempt.

Common error

Avoid overusing "strive to appear" in excessively formal or repetitive contexts. Over-reliance on this phrase can make writing sound stilted. Opt for synonyms like "attempt to seem" or "try to look" to maintain a natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strive to appear" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It connects an action (striving) with a desired outcome (a particular appearance or impression). As per Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strive to appear" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase indicating a deliberate effort to create a particular impression. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not extremely common, it's found in various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as academic settings. When writing, consider alternatives like "attempt to seem" or "try to look" to prevent overuse and to maintain clarity. The key is to align the usage with the intended audience and desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to seem

Focuses on the attempt or effort made to create a certain impression.

try to look

Emphasizes the effort to present a specific visual image or appearance.

endeavor to seem

Uses a more formal tone to indicate an earnest attempt to project a certain image.

seek to project

Highlights the active effort to display or communicate a particular quality.

aim to come across as

Focuses on the desired impression or how one wants to be perceived.

work to look

Emphasizes the active and continuous effort to maintain a certain appearance.

make an effort to seem

Highlights the conscious decision and action taken to create a specific impression.

try to present oneself as

Focuses on the act of presenting oneself in a particular manner.

seek to give the impression of

Emphasizes the desire to communicate a certain idea or feeling.

aspire to be seen as

Indicates a high-level goal or ambition regarding how one is perceived.

FAQs

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

You can use "strive to appear" to describe someone's effort to project a specific image. For example, "The politician "strives to appear" confident during debates."

What are some alternatives to "strive to appear"?

Alternatives include "attempt to seem", "try to look", or "aim to come across as" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "strive to appear" or "try to appear"?

"Strive to appear" implies a greater level of effort and intention compared to "try to appear". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "strive to appear" mean?

"Strive to appear" means to make a significant effort to give a particular impression or present oneself in a certain way.