striving for something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "striving for something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a goal or aspiration that someone is working hard to achieve. Example: "She is always striving for excellence in her work, pushing herself to improve every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

And they were always striving for something more.

Princeton University

They're always striving for something better, something unattainable.

The Guardian - Music

Dennis was striving for something similarly autobiographical - but this was music wholly unconcerned with commerciality.

The Guardian - Music

But in Beijing, the architects were clearly striving for something more heroic.

The New York Times - Sports

Gomez-Rejon's style reminded me a little of Paolo Sorrentino at times, striving for something mythic or operatic.

The Guardian - Film

He said: "It is all about the body image now and striving for something that is not possible.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Here on earth, let's strive for something better.

The New Yorker

Instead of playing basketball on the street, he strives for something higher.

The New York Times

We all face the same fate, no matter how much we might strive for something more.

The New York Times

It's made me strive for something more in my relationships.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I strive for something iconic and monumental that transcends the boundaries of culture, nature and geography," Mr. Reddy said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "striving for something" when you want to convey a sense of ambition, effort, and the pursuit of a specific goal that may not be easily attainable. It's particularly effective when describing personal growth or overcoming challenges.

Common error

Avoid using "striving for something" in overly passive constructions that weaken the sense of agency and effort. For example, instead of saying "Something is being strived for," say "They are striving for something."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "striving for something" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of persistently trying to achieve a goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "striving for something" is a grammatically correct and highly versatile expression used to convey the persistent pursuit of a goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in news media and academic contexts. While alternatives like "aiming for something" or "working towards a goal" offer similar meanings, "striving for something" emphasizes the effort and ambition involved. When using this phrase, consider avoiding passive voice to maintain clarity. The frequency and consistent usage across authoritative sources affirm its place as a valuable tool in expressing aspiration and determination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aiming for something

Focuses on the target or goal rather than the effort.

pursuing a goal

Highlights the act of chasing or following a specific objective.

working towards a goal

Emphasizes the effort and progress being made.

seeking something

Implies a search or quest for a particular outcome.

reaching for something

Suggests an attempt to attain something that might be difficult to grasp.

aspiring to something

Conveys a sense of ambition and high hopes.

endeavoring to achieve

Formal and emphasizes serious effort and determination.

pushing for something

Implies a forceful and determined effort to obtain a specific result.

trying to attain

Focuses on the attempt to gain or secure something.

battling for something

Conveys a struggle or fight to achieve a desired outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "striving for something" to express a persistent effort toward a goal. For example, "She is always "striving for something" better in her career."

What are some alternatives to "striving for something"?

Some alternatives include "aiming for something", "pursuing a goal", or "working towards a goal", each carrying a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "striving to something" instead of "striving for something"?

No, the correct preposition is "for". "Striving for something" is the standard and grammatically sound construction. "Striving to something" is not idiomatic.

What's the difference between "striving for something" and "settling for something"?

"Striving for something" implies an active pursuit of a goal, while "settling for something" suggests accepting a less desirable outcome, often due to limitations or resignation.