strove

USAGE SUMMARY

"strove" is a word that is used in written English, and it can be used as either a verb or a noun.
The verb form simply means "to struggle or attempt," and it is usually used in the past tense. Example sentence: She strove to make peace between the two warring nations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All through the first half Sutton matched Coventry for speed, and if the was often frenetic and aerial that was understandable as both teams strove for the first strike.

The Guardian - Sport

He strove to find common ground, some sort of temporary agreement between family members to help to see them through the first awful hours.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They strove to eliminate patriarchal systems of oppression, and the most radical was to subvert the blatantly phallocentric ritual of surnames.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The middle classes strove to do better, and they are striving still.

The Guardian - Books

Mann's movie was also the last of its kind for 36 years, the genre subsequently having fallen out of favour.Where "Demetrius and the Gladiators" had all the intelligence of a comic strip, with rippling muscles, scarlet women and an all-out assault on eyes and ears, "The Fall of the Roman Empire", mindful of Gibbon, strove for sobriety and historical accuracy.

The Economist

Though it did not stint in its criticism, Mr Wright's book strove to maintain a non-judgmental tone; Mr Gibney has sought to emulate this in his documentary, for which the Church apparently refused to be interviewed".I really appreciated the idea that Larry didn't set out to write an exposé," says Mr Gibney.

The Economist

(Most neutrino detectors are deep underground to shield them from cosmic rays, which can cause similar signals).However, as other experiments, in particular those looking for neutrinos in the physical reactions which power the sun, strove to replicate Reines's and Cowan's result, they hit a snag.

The Economist

Roy Strong would like to see the churches preserved, just as he strove to preserve English country houses and country gardens while he was director of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London in the 1970s.Early worship by Christians was deeply spiritual, ritualistic and physical.

The Economist

As for Arab Shias, they often strove to be good Arab nationalists and supported the Sunni Palestinians, but were rarely thanked.

The Economist

The institution he joined, the scientific crime detection laboratory at Northwestern's law school, strove to put that right.

The Economist

In the 1950s, such films as 'The War of the Worlds", "Them", "The Thing" and "The Day the Earth Stood Still" believed in themselves and strove to make audiences believe, too.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strove" to indicate a determined and sustained effort toward a goal. It adds a sense of purpose and diligence to your writing.

Common error

While both "strove" and "strived" are past tense forms of "strive", "strove" is generally considered the more common and preferred form. Use "strove" for a more conventional and widely accepted usage.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "strove" is to act as the past tense of the verb "strive". It describes a completed action of making considerable effort to achieve something. Ludwig examples showcase its usage in various contexts, confirming its role as a verb indicating past effort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strove" is the past tense of "strive", denoting a significant and sustained effort towards a specific goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Predominantly found in "News & Media", "Science", and "Formal & Business" contexts, it maintains a neutral register. While "strived" exists, "strove" remains the preferred form. Alternatives such as "endeavored" and "attempted" offer similar meanings, but "strove" often conveys a stronger sense of determination. Using "strove" effectively enhances writing by highlighting dedicated effort, so remember this as you "strove" to improve your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strived

A less common but still valid alternative past tense of "strive".

endeavored

This term is a formal synonym, carrying a sense of serious or determined effort.

attempted

This is a more general term for trying to do something, without necessarily implying a great deal of effort.

tried

A common and versatile synonym for making an effort, but can also refer to testing something.

sought

Implies a focused effort to find or obtain something.

worked towards

This phrase indicates consistent effort directed at a specific goal.

labored

Suggests a strenuous and prolonged effort, often physical or mental.

aimed

This suggests directing effort or intention towards a specific target or objective.

aspired

Implies a strong desire or ambition to achieve something.

pushed

Indicates applying force or effort to achieve something.

FAQs

How do you use "strove" in a sentence?

"Strove" is the past tense of "strive", meaning to make great efforts to achieve or obtain something. For example, "She "strove" to overcome her challenges and achieve her goals."

What is the difference between "strove" and "strived"?

Both "strove" and "strived" are past tense forms of "strive". However, "strove" is the more commonly used and accepted form in contemporary English. "Strived" is less frequent but still grammatically correct.

What can I say instead of "strove"?

You can use alternatives like "endeavored", "attempted", or "tried", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "he strived for success"?

While grammatically acceptable, it's more common and stylistically preferred to say "He "strove for success"". Both forms are valid, but "strove" is the more prevalent choice.