strive to speak

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strive to speak" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing an effort or determination to communicate effectively or clearly. Example: "In order to improve my public speaking skills, I strive to speak with confidence and clarity during presentations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I will continue to read these stories and strive to speak up whenever I see members of my sex treating women in these ways".

Independent

Although I sometimes fail, I do strive to speak on gender theology with grace and compassion.

Huffington Post

According to teachings of the Buddha we should strive to "speak words that are soothing to the ear, that are affectionate, that go to the heart, that are polite, appealing and pleasing to people at large".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This is done largely through its social arm, by enforcing conservative dresscodes in schools, banning alcohol and warning against dating.Ms Roy strives not to speak for Palestinians, but to let their voices reverberate.

The Economist

Let the wholeness you strive to embody speak to the wholeness in your student.

Huffington Post

Mr. Mobley has made such progress, said Kate Janeski, an official with Strive, that he was asked to speak at a Strive fund-raiser in November at the United Nations.

The New York Times

She strove to be objective, to speak for the consensus.

The New Yorker

I struggle to give everyone a chance to speak, striving to maintain a respectful atmosphere.

Huffington Post

To accomplish this, we will strive to educate each side of the divide to speak the same language.

DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms

He strove to give opposing sides of issues a turn to speak, including at least one abortion opponent.

The New York Times

I strive to build good rapport with my students and colleagues; therefore I invite them to speak with candor.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strive to speak" when you want to express a determined and continuous effort to communicate effectively, especially in situations where clear and articulate expression is essential.

Common error

Avoid using "strive to speak" in everyday conversation. It can sound overly formal or unnatural. Opt for more casual alternatives like "try to talk" or "try to explain" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strive to speak" functions primarily as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It combines the verb "strive", indicating effort or determination, with the infinitive "to speak", which denotes the action being pursued. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is deemed grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strive to speak" is a grammatically correct infinitive phrase that conveys a deliberate effort to communicate effectively. While Ludwig confirms its usability, its frequency is rare, making it suitable for formal contexts but potentially awkward in casual conversation. Consider alternatives like "try to talk" in informal settings. The primary contexts for this phrase are News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. Remember to use "strive to speak" when emphasizing intention and continuous effort in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endeavor to articulate

Replaces "strive" with "endeavor" and "speak" with "articulate", emphasizing a more formal and precise communication.

aim to express oneself

Shifts the focus to self-expression rather than general speaking, using "aim" instead of "strive".

try to verbalize

Uses "try" for a less forceful effort and "verbalize" for a specific act of putting thoughts into words.

seek to communicate

Replaces "strive" with "seek", implying a quest for effective communication.

aspire to voice thoughts

Emphasizes the ambition to express thoughts, using "aspire" for a higher level of aspiration.

make an effort to talk

Simplifies the phrase to a basic effort to engage in conversation.

work towards expressing

Focuses on the ongoing process of expressing oneself, rather than a specific instance of speaking.

attempt to deliver speech

Highlights the act of giving a speech, implying a more formal setting.

push oneself to articulate

Suggests a greater effort or overcoming a challenge in articulating thoughts.

undertake to converse

Implies a formal or serious undertaking of conversation.

FAQs

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

You can use "strive to speak" to indicate a deliberate effort to communicate clearly. For example, "In order to improve my public speaking skills, I "strive to speak" with confidence and clarity during presentations."

What are some alternatives to "strive to speak"?

Alternatives include "endeavor to articulate", "aim to express oneself", or "try to verbalize", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "strive to speak"?

It's appropriate in formal settings or when emphasizing the effort and intention behind communication. Consider using it in professional writing, public speaking contexts, or when describing a dedicated effort to articulate thoughts effectively.

Is "strive to speak" too formal for casual conversation?

Yes, it can be. In most casual conversations, phrases like "try to talk", "try to explain", or "try to say" are more appropriate. "Strive to speak" is better suited for formal or professional contexts.