try to strive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try to strive" is not commonly used in written English and may sound redundant.
It can be used when encouraging someone to make an effort to achieve a goal, but it may be clearer to use one of the two verbs instead. Example: "In order to succeed in this competitive market, we must try to strive for excellence in our services."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"That is really a model we try to strive for today," Dr. Gudzune said.

The New York Times - Health

But we are born to try, to strive, to overcome and to achieve our own greatness.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I try to strive for stuff that I know I can't achieve right now," said Yesenia Mendez, 13, of Boston.

The New York Times

"There is always the danger that you stop and don't try to strive for the next thing .Life has been good for Microsoft Research MSRR for short).

The Economist

"Like most of us, I am ambitious and always try to strive to be the best in my profession," Hamilton said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I think we can relate this back to education and how we are continuing to try to strive to figure out how to create jobs right now.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

And tensions were set up between the way the dancers tried to strive forward while the cords pulled them backward.

The New York Times - Arts

You're trying to strive for this perfection, but you still want people to get that illusion that your line never ends and that you never stop moving".

Independent

"We have tried to strive to get to the point where for-profit developers are interested in Camden," added Mr. Cancro, whose department supervises recovery efforts.

The New York Times

Ye Shiwen can do it so it's something we've been trying to strive for to show it's possible to come back really, really strong.

The Guardian - Sport

"We're always trying to strive for that perfection.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid redundancy, choose either "try" or "strive" depending on the nuance you want to convey. "Try" emphasizes the attempt, while "strive" emphasizes the sustained effort.

Common error

Avoid combining words that have similar meanings. Using both "try" and "strive" can make your writing sound repetitive. Select the single, most precise verb to express your intent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to strive" functions as a complex verb phrase indicating an attempt to make a sustained effort. Ludwig examples show it often appears when someone is aiming for improvement or achievement, though its usage can sometimes be seen as redundant.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically sound, the phrase "try to strive" is often considered redundant. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it is most frequently used in News & Media contexts and implies an attempt to put in sustained effort. To improve clarity and conciseness, it's often better to use either "try" or "strive" alone, or to opt for synonyms like "attempt to achieve" or "strive for excellence". Despite being understandable, as Ludwig AI highlights, mindful word choice can enhance the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to attain

Simpler alternative, reducing redundancy by using 'attain' to encompass both trying and striving.

strive for excellence

Focuses specifically on the continuous effort to achieve a high standard.

attempt to achieve

Replaces both "try" and "strive" with a single, more formal alternative for making an effort.

make an effort to reach

Focuses on the action of putting in effort to get to a specific outcome.

endeavor to attain

Emphasizes a serious and determined effort to reach a high goal.

seek to accomplish

Highlights the intention and action of pursuing a specific accomplishment.

aim to realize

Focuses on directing efforts towards making something a reality.

work towards fulfilling

Suggests sustained effort over time to bring something to completion.

pursue with determination

Emphasizes the commitment and resolve in following a course of action.

aspire to greatness

Highlights a desire to achieve something exceptional and remarkable.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "try to strive" correctly?

While grammatically acceptable, "try to strive" can be redundant. Use it when you want to emphasize both the attempt and the continuous effort, but consider using just "strive" or "try" depending on the context.

What does "try to strive" mean?

The phrase "try to strive" means to make an attempt to put in continuous effort toward a goal. However, because "try" and "strive" are semantically similar, the phrase can be seen as repetitive.

What are some alternatives to "try to strive"?

Some alternatives include "attempt to achieve", "strive for excellence", or simply "endeavor", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "try to strive" or just "strive"?

In most cases, using just "strive" is more concise and effective. "Strive" already implies an attempt, so adding "try to" can be redundant. However, "try to strive" can be used for emphasis.