strive to attain

USAGE SUMMARY

"strive to attain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to express an effort to accept, reach, or achieve something. For example, "The student strived to attain the highest grade in the class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

And they strive to attain the rank of life master.

The New York Times

The new machine would be built for the ideal tritium mixture, but it would no longer strive to attain ignition.

The New Yorker

Consistency is an ingredient managers strive to attain, and Mike Scioscia, in only his third year as the Angels' manager, has molded a model of consistency.

The New York Times - Sports

It will have clear statutory responsibility, it will strive to attain stature and authority, and it will seek to earn respect through effective and appropriate contribution.

The Guardian

The efficiency and professionalism with which my case was handled lived up to high standards that I strive to attain for my own patients.

The Guardian

On the whole, his lordship prophesied, "the more time he has to devote to his hobby, the more Rugbyman will strive to attain greater efficiency".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

While Raedecker strives to attain originality, Brown questions the whole idea.

The Guardian - Arts

Through self-knowledge, the devout mystic strives to attain knowledge of God Himself.

The Economist

Fiction strives to attain the universal through the particular; readers want to relate to characters, to see themselves.

The New York Times

He strives to attain mysticism in choreography that is fraught with a pull between restraint and anxiety.

The New York Times - Arts

Many of the world's leaders and their supporters knew only too well what they wanted, and strove to attain it.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "strive to attain", consider the formality of your context. While generally acceptable, it can sometimes sound slightly formal, especially in casual conversation. Use it in situations where you want to convey a serious or deliberate effort.

Common error

Avoid using "strive to attain" when simpler alternatives like "try to achieve" or "aim to get" would suffice. Overly formal language can make your writing sound stilted or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strive to attain" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose or intention. It combines the verb "strive", indicating a strong effort, with the infinitive "to attain", signifying the goal or achievement being pursued. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strive to attain" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that effectively conveys a dedicated effort to achieve a specific goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, although it leans towards a more formal tone. Its primary function is to express purpose and intention, emphasizing the proactive nature of pursuing an objective. While "strive to attain" sees use across various domains, it is most prevalent in News & Media, Scientific, and Formal & Business contexts. When choosing this phrase, consider the formality of your writing and whether a simpler alternative might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endeavor to achieve

Replaces "strive" with "endeavor" and "attain" with "achieve", providing a more formal tone.

aim to accomplish

Substitutes "strive" with "aim" and "attain" with "accomplish", offering a slightly less intense meaning.

seek to gain

Replaces "strive" with "seek" and "attain" with "gain", indicating a more passive approach to achieving the goal.

work towards achieving

Emphasizes the effort involved in reaching a goal, with a focus on gradual progress.

aspire to reach

Implies a higher level of ambition or a more distant goal.

pursue to acquire

Focuses on the active chasing of a goal, with "acquire" emphasizing the obtaining of something tangible or intangible.

try to secure

Suggests an element of competition or difficulty in achieving the goal.

make an effort to obtain

Highlights the exertion required to get something.

undertake to realize

Conveys a commitment to bringing something into being or making it a reality.

struggle to reach

Emphasizes the difficulty and effort involved in arriving at a specific target.

FAQs

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

You can use "strive to attain" to indicate an ambitious effort to achieve a goal. For instance, "The company strived to attain market leadership through innovation."

What can I say instead of "strive to attain"?

You can use alternatives like "endeavor to achieve", "aim to accomplish", or "seek to gain" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "strive to attain" or "strive for attaining"?

"Strive to attain" is generally preferred because it uses the infinitive form. "Strive for attaining" is less common and can sound awkward.

Is "strive to attain" suitable for informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "strive to attain" may be too formal for casual contexts. Consider using more informal alternatives like "try to get" or "aim to reach" in such situations.