strove to

USAGE SUMMARY

"strove to" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when expressing effort or striving towards a goal or objective. Example: "She strove to improve her skills every day." Alternative expressions include "strived to" and "worked to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Far too many strove to live the life of a hidalgo.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She strove to excel.

The New York Times

The actors strove to make them more.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It strove to perfect immunization campaign strategies.

The New York Times

And strove to bring them justice.

The Guardian - Books

Eisenhower strove to avoid war at any cost.

The Economist

They built a cabin and strove to be self-sufficient.

The New Yorker

Mr Gates strove to rise above the accusations yesterday.

Independent

Savigny strove to establish a German science of civil law.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He also strove to lodge Ṣafavid power strongly in Khorāsān.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Arafat, however, suspicious of Syria, strove to maintain PLO autonomy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strove to" to convey a sense of determined effort and aspiration towards a specific goal. It's particularly effective when highlighting challenges overcome in pursuit of that goal.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "strove to" can sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. Consider using simpler alternatives like "tried to" or "worked to" for a more natural tone in informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strove to" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the reason or aim behind an action. Ludwig's examples show its use across different contexts, consistently expressing intentional effort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

22%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strove to" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express determined effort towards a goal. As indicated by Ludwig, it's prevalent in news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing, and can be used in formal contexts. While widely accepted and common, it may sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider alternatives like "tried to" for informal settings. When communicating to a formal audience and the message needs to transmit dedication, you must use "strove to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endeavored to

Formal alternative, suggesting a serious and determined effort.

undertook to

Formally indicates the acceptance of a task or responsibility with effort.

sought to

Implies a focused and intentional effort to achieve a specific aim.

attempted to

Indicates an effort made, without necessarily implying success or high effort.

tried to

A general term for making an effort, suitable for many contexts.

worked to

Implies consistent and sustained effort over a period.

aimed to

Suggests a specific goal or target was set and pursued.

set out to

Suggests a planned and intentional beginning of an effort.

labored to

Highlights the difficulty and strenuousness of the effort.

aspired to

Emphasizes ambition and a desire for something great or elevated.

FAQs

What does "strove to" mean?

"Strove to" means to have tried hard or made great efforts to achieve or do something. It indicates a dedicated and sustained attempt to reach a goal.

How can I use "strove to" in a sentence?

You can use "strove to" to describe someone's determined efforts. For example: "The scientist "strove to" find a cure for the disease", or "She "strove to" improve her skills every day."

What are some alternatives to "strove to"?

Alternatives to "strove to" include "endeavored to", "attempted to", "sought to", or "tried to". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is "strove to" more formal than "tried to"?

Yes, "strove to" is generally considered more formal than "tried to". "Tried to" is a more common and versatile phrase, while "strove to" suggests a more significant and determined effort. When communicating messages to an audience, consider the specific level of formality in order to properly use ""strove to"" or ""tried to"".