striving for mastery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "striving for mastery" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the pursuit of excellence or expertise in a particular skill or field. Example: "As a musician, she is always striving for mastery in her craft, dedicating countless hours to practice and improvement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

As Paul put it, "Trying to learn to play the cello is a metaphor for striving for mastery in any aspect of life".

The New York Times

It's high time to ditch the myth of work/life balance, that striving for mastery of your personal life and your professional self and achieving stability while trying to be present in both.

Huffington Post

It takes unwavering willpower to attain this kind of spiritual progress, and there is no quick fix or fast track to transcendence. Malcolm Gladwell talks about the 10,000 hours rule, the time investment that one has to put in when striving for mastery of any kind of vocation.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A guiding principle, Fell says, was that no-one should "strive for Mastery" but everyone should "esteem others better than themselves" (Fell 1710, 55).

SEP

Accordingly, Les Muffatti's interpretations "constantly strive for mastery of the theatrical quality so characteristic of Baroque art forms, an ambition which goes far beyond delivering a mere accurate rendition of a score".

Huffington Post

Mr. Jobs was striving for perfection.

The New York Times

Clearly, striving for nonviolence is serious business.

The New York Times - Arts

"We're striving for perfection," he said.

The New York Times

Were you consciously striving for diversity?

The New York Times

They are striving for purity.

The New York Times

But the prize is worth striving for.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "striving for mastery", ensure it's followed by a specific area or skill to provide context. For example: "striving for mastery of the cello" or "striving for mastery in software development".

Common error

Avoid using "striving for mastery" in overly casual situations. This phrase carries a sense of dedication and seriousness, so it's best suited for discussions about significant goals or long-term pursuits.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "striving for mastery" functions as a verbal phrase acting as a noun phrase. It describes the act of dedicating oneself to achieving a high level of competence in a particular skill or area. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "striving for mastery" is a grammatically sound phrase that effectively conveys dedication to achieving expertise in a particular area. Ludwig AI analysis shows its usage is generally correct and appropriate. While the phrase appears relatively infrequently, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with some usage in science and encyclopedic sources. When using this phrase, clarity and specificity are key: explicitly state the subject or area in which mastery is sought. Consider alternatives like "pursuing excellence" or "aiming for expertise" depending on the desired nuance. Though versatile, avoid overusing "striving for mastery" in very casual conversation to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Aspiring to mastery

Similar, but places more emphasis on the ambition or hope of achieving mastery.

Aiming for expertise

Directly targets the development of specialized knowledge or skill in a particular field.

Pursuing excellence

Focuses on achieving a high standard of quality rather than necessarily dominating or controlling a specific area.

Seeking proficiency

Emphasizes gaining adequate competence in a skill or subject, without necessarily implying a quest for complete control or authority.

Endeavoring to excel

More formal and emphasizes the effort to surpass ordinary standards.

Working towards competence

Highlights the effort and progress involved in becoming capable or skilled.

Striving for perfection

Focuses on achieving an unattainable ideal state, which differs from the realistic goal of mastery.

Seeking command

Highlights gaining control or authority, which can be a component of mastery but not always the primary goal.

Pushing for dominance

Emphasizes the competitive aspect of achieving a leading position or superior influence.

Seeking self-improvement

General self-improvement differs from the specific skill-based focus of mastery.

FAQs

What does "striving for mastery" mean?

It means dedicating oneself to achieving a high level of skill, knowledge, or control in a particular area or discipline. It implies continuous effort and a commitment to improvement.

How can I use "striving for mastery" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone's dedication to a skill, such as "She is "striving for mastery" in classical piano" or in the context of professional development: "He believes in "striving for mastery" in his field".

What are some alternatives to "striving for mastery"?

Some alternatives include "pursuing excellence", "seeking proficiency", or "aiming for expertise", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "striving for mastery" the same as "striving for perfection"?

No, while both involve dedication, "striving for mastery" focuses on achieving a high level of competence and skill, while striving for perfection implies an attempt to reach an unattainable ideal.