striving for power

USAGE SUMMARY

"striving for power" is correct and usable in written English.
Usually it is used to indicate a person or group's ambition or desire to gain power or influence. For example, "The ruthless politician was always striving for power in Washington."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"Without any doubt, I am striving for power," he has said publicly.

The New Yorker

Men who pursue politics are also pursuing power, Dr. Geary said, and "from an evolutionary perspective the whole goal of men striving for power is to increase their access to sexual opportunities".

The New York Times

After all the years of striving for power, once he had it, he said to the American people, "I'll let you in on a secret — I mean to use it".

The New York Times - Books

More important for Uganda was the attempt by the governor, Sir Charles Dundas, to reverse his predecessors' policy and to give more freedom to the factions striving for power in Buganda.

Encyclopedia Britannica

What makes for the prospect of success in satisfying our passions is power, and thus, the pursuit of happiness is a matter of striving for power.

SEP

Turns out the only thing funnier than striving for power is the harried attempt to hold on to it.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

We tended to reject those that seemed to strive for power at the expense of a sense of place, or those that seemed out of balance.

The New York Times - Food

Some equipment-makers had been striving for market power in other ways.

The Economist

The ruling party, which is striving for political power, has set aside many of its Hindu nationalist planks to win the support of regional parties with secular outlooks.

The New York Times

"What he saw," explains Knowlson, "was that, like Joyce, he had been striving for literary power, for control over the material, when in fact his whole zone of being lay in that area of impotence, of ignorance, of stupidity This was something which he was then able to channel in an exploration of what he saw as the essentials of being".

The Guardian

With Hitler striving for absolute power in Germany, Himmler and Heydrich wished to control the political police forces of all 17 German states.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "striving for power", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. It can imply ambition, competition, or even a relentless pursuit, so choose contexts where that meaning is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "striving for power" in contexts where a more neutral term like "seeking influence" or "aiming for leadership" would be more appropriate. Overusing it can create an impression of excessive ambition where it isn't intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "striving for power" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, describing the act of pursuing influence or control. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "striving for power" is a grammatically correct and commonly used gerund phrase that describes the act of pursuing influence or control. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is appropriate for use in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias sources. While generally neutral, it can carry connotations of ambition or ruthless competition depending on the context. Be mindful of the nuance you wish to convey and consider alternatives such as "seeking influence" or "aiming for leadership" if a more neutral tone is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

struggling for power

Emphasizes the difficulty and contention involved in the pursuit of power.

wrestling for power

Suggests a direct and potentially combative struggle for dominance.

quest for power

Highlights the adventurous and exploratory nature of seeking power.

pursuit of influence

Focuses on gaining influence as the primary goal, rather than direct control.

seeking dominance

Directly implies the aim of achieving a dominant position.

reaching for authority

Emphasizes the ambition to attain a position of authority.

aiming for control

Highlights the intent to achieve control over resources or situations.

aspiring to leadership

Specifically refers to the desire to become a leader.

contending for supremacy

Indicates a competitive struggle to achieve the highest position.

campaigning for authority

Focuses on the active effort to gain authority, often in a political context.

FAQs

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

You can use "striving for power" to describe someone's ambition or efforts to gain influence, such as, "The politician was constantly striving for power within the party."

What are some alternatives to "striving for power"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "seeking influence", "aiming for leadership", or "pursuing dominance".

Is it always negative to say someone is "striving for power"?

Not necessarily. While it can imply ruthless ambition, it can also describe someone who is diligently working to achieve a leadership position or gain influence for a specific cause. The connotation depends heavily on the context.

What is the difference between "striving for power" and "seeking authority"?

"Striving for power" generally implies a broader effort to gain influence and control, while "seeking authority" specifically refers to the pursuit of a recognized position of power or official authorization.