strive to better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strive to better" is not correct in standard written English.
It should be "strive to be better" or "strive for better." Example: "We must always strive to be better in our practices and approaches to ensure success."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Most people strive to better their circumstances by taking chances, often changing jobs without any guarantees that should they fail, they'll be paid anything — let alone lavishly.

The New York Times

By improving the model assumption and our knowledge on the partition coefficients between fluid, melt, and solid phases, we strive to better understand the elemental cycling in subduction zones.

Earth, Planets and Space

Within the congregation, there are many organizations that specialize in various activities, all of which strive to better the church or community or both.

Wikipedia

Players can't excel in every area, but they can strive to better themselves in the areas that we value most for each individual.

Huffington Post

Think of it this way: When you strive to better yourself, you not only allow for the possibility of improving your own life, but also the well-being of all the people who surround you.

Huffington Post

For the first time in its 58-year history, BK has expanded its offerings broader than ever before, with 10 new items that strive to better diversify their menu -- akin to burger competitor McDonald's.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

And agencies are striving to better prepare for storms.

The New York Times

That's a hefty whack to households on modest incomes striving to better themselves.

The Guardian - Business

They ratchet up with every year, as she strives to better what came before.

The Guardian

Later, Ryan contributes three chapters on policy, in which he accuses liberals of trying to create "a new American person who no longer strives to better oneself".

The New York Times

We should be striving to better understand the beliefs of others but instead we see that people act based on prejudice and exclude others and despiuse them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatical precision, replace "strive to better" with "strive to be better" or "strive for better". For example, use "strive to be better leaders" or "strive for better results".

Common error

Avoid using "strive to better" in formal writing. While the phrase might be understood, it's not grammatically standard. Opt for alternatives like "strive to improve" or "strive to be better" to ensure clarity and correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strive to better" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. However, it's considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates that standard English prefers "strive to be better" or "strive for better".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

36%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "strive to better" is relatively common, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests using "strive to be better" or "strive for better" instead. The phrase appears in various contexts, including news, science, and wikis, but its use should be avoided in formal writing. To ensure clarity and correctness, opt for the grammatically sound alternatives provided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endeavor to improve

Replaces "strive" with "endeavor", suggesting a determined effort towards enhancement.

aim to enhance

Uses "aim" instead of "strive", indicating a goal-oriented approach to making something better.

work towards betterment

Emphasizes the process of improving, focusing on the "betterment" aspect.

seek to ameliorate

A more formal option, suggesting an effort to alleviate or improve a negative situation.

make an effort to improve

Highlights the exertion of effort in the process of improvement.

try to enhance

Uses "try" instead of "strive", suggesting an attempt to make something better.

aspire to improve

Indicates a strong desire or ambition to make something better.

push for advancement

Emphasizes the act of pushing or advocating for improvement.

dedicate oneself to improvement

Suggests a committed effort towards self-improvement or the improvement of something else.

commit to enhancing

Highlights a firm decision to improve or enhance something.

FAQs

What's the correct way to use "strive" in a sentence aiming for improvement?

The grammatically correct alternatives are to use "strive to be better" or "strive for better". For instance, instead of saying "We must "strive to better" our services", you should say "We must "strive to be better"" or "strive for better services".

What are some alternatives to "strive to better"?

While "strive to better" isn't grammatically correct, you can use alternatives like "endeavor to improve", "aim to enhance", or "work towards betterment" depending on the context.

Is "strive to better" grammatically correct?

No, "strive to better" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct forms are "strive to be better" or "strive for better".

How can I use "strive" to express a desire for improvement?

You can express a desire for improvement by using phrases like "strive to be better", strive for better, or "strive to improve". These options clearly convey the intent to achieve a higher standard or quality.