strive to prove

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strive to prove" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing an effort or determination to demonstrate something, often in a context of challenge or competition. Example: "In her research, she strives to prove the effectiveness of the new treatment method."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Husbands and wives strive to prove how incredibly happy -- and faithful -- they are.

The New York Times

"Let me urge you," he told his classes, "to strive to prove that our American art is a vital thing".

The New York Times

Inspired by the success of the Rotterdam model, the hotel will strive to prove social enterprises can be commercially viable by offering first-class service to guests and a quality product.

The Guardian

Defending his products, Hansen's chairman, Rodney C. Sacks, said the company had no immediate plans to remove echinacea from its drinks, and would strive to prove the herb's safety.

The New York Times

He has tried to head off comparisons with the hapless Mr McGovern by stressing his willingness, normally, to send troops to fight overseas.As the focus turns from the primaries to the general election, both men will valiantly strive to prove they are really centrists.

The Economist

We strive to prove to ourselves, as well as to others, that we can shine through our disabilities.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

In between, Mr. Yassky strives to prove his culinary chops to the couple's 14-year-old daughter, Margaret, a Food Network fan with a discerning palate.

The New York Times

Such as Cyrus R. Vance Jr., the first-term district attorney striving to prove himself to the city as the most high-profile case of his tenure implodes.

The New York Times

This year's Apprentices strived to prove they were the cream of the crop, the most talented undiscovered entrepreneurs Britain has to offer.

The Guardian

Detroit, more than the others, is the face of this change: a team with no superstars, little ego and a cast of characters striving to prove their worth.

The New York Times - Sports

But this report got lost in a barrage of stories striving to prove that the C.I.A. is right and Mr. Trump is wrong.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strive to prove" when you want to convey a sense of persistent effort and determination towards demonstrating the truth or validity of something. It is particularly effective when the task is challenging or requires significant effort.

Common error

Avoid using "strive to prove" in contexts where a simple "prove" or "show" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose or overly dramatic. For example, instead of "the data strives to prove the hypothesis", use "the data proves the hypothesis".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strive to prove" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the intention or goal behind an action. It describes the reason why someone is exerting effort, as Ludwig examples illustrate. It often appears in contexts where demonstrating validity or truth requires considerable dedication.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "strive to prove" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a determined effort to demonstrate the validity of something. As per Ludwig, it's indeed usable in written English. Analysis of various sources shows its frequent presence in news and media, scientific research, and formal business communications. The phrase conveys a stronger sense of dedication than simply "try to prove", emphasizing the challenges involved. While versatile, it's best to avoid overusing it in simple assertions where "prove" or "show" would suffice. For alternative phrasing, consider "endeavor to demonstrate" or "aim to validate" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endeavor to demonstrate

Focuses on making an effort to show something, shifting the emphasis from proving to demonstrating.

attempt to establish

Emphasizes the act of setting up or creating proof, rather than just trying.

aim to validate

Highlights the goal of confirming the accuracy or legitimacy of something.

seek to confirm

Implies a search for evidence to support an existing belief or hypothesis.

try to verify

Suggests an attempt to check or test the truth of something.

work to substantiate

Focuses on providing evidence to support a claim or argument.

make an effort to validate

Highlights the effort put into confirming the accuracy or legitimacy of something.

undertake to verify

Implies a formal commitment to checking the truth of something.

dedicate oneself to confirming

Shows strong commitment and personal involvement in confirming something.

aspire to validate

Emphasizes having a goal to confirm the accuracy or legitimacy of something.

FAQs

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

Use "strive to prove" when you want to emphasize the effort and determination involved in demonstrating the validity or truth of something. For example, "Researchers "strive to prove" the effectiveness of new treatments through rigorous testing".

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

You can use alternatives like "endeavor to demonstrate", "attempt to establish", or "aim to validate" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "strive to prove" or "try to prove"?

"Strive to prove" suggests a more dedicated and persistent effort than "try to prove". "Try to prove" implies a simple attempt, while "strive to prove" conveys a strong commitment to demonstrating something.

What is the difference between "strive to prove" and "seeking to prove"?

"Strive to prove" emphasizes the effort and struggle involved in the act of proving something, whereas "seeking to prove" simply highlights the intention or goal. Therefore, "strive to prove" can suggest a greater challenge or difficulty in the process compared to "seeking to prove".