we were striving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were striving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express an ongoing effort or attempt to achieve something in the past. Example: "During the project, we were striving to meet all deadlines while maintaining high quality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

We were striving to do that last year.

The New York Times - Sports

"We were striving for openness and transparency in national standards," he said.

The New York Times

I don't want to be too precious about it, but we were striving to create music that has honest emotion".

The New York Times - Arts

But "in general, we were striving to decrease our traffic a little bit," said Stephen Sigmund, a spokesman for the agency.

The New York Times

We were striving to achieve ideas about responsibility, about unconditional love, about the unimportance of appearance and communicating on a deeper level".

The New York Times

"It was bad, but not that bad, as we were striving to get up, so it was a great deal more positive," Nevin admitted.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"We're striving for perfection," he said.

The New York Times

We are happiest when we are striving and succeeding.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We're striving to have more independent outcomes".

The New York Times

"Waiting is what we're striving for here".

The New York Times

"We're striving to maintain our vistas and rural atmosphere".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the context and formality. "We were striving" can be suitable for formal reports, news articles, and academic papers.

Common error

Avoid using "we were striving" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "we were trying" or "we aimed" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were striving" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a past, continuous effort toward a specific goal or objective. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were striving" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey a past, continuous effort toward a challenging goal. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When choosing this phrase, consider the level of formality required and whether simpler alternatives like "we were trying" or "we aimed" might be more appropriate for informal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we aimed

This alternative is more concise and direct, implying a specific target or objective.

we sought

This option has a more formal tone, suggesting a deliberate and considered effort.

we endeavored

This choice is highly formal, emphasizing the effort and determination involved.

we tried hard

This is a more straightforward and less formal way of expressing the effort made.

we worked towards

This phrase focuses on the process and direction of the effort.

we were trying

This option is more general and less emphatic than "we were striving".

we aspired

This implies a higher goal or ambition that was being pursued.

we pursued

This emphasizes the active following of a particular goal or aim.

we were committed to

This alternative highlights the dedication and commitment involved in the effort.

we dedicated ourselves to

This option is a more emphatic version of "we were committed to", stressing personal investment.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we were striving" to sound more formal?

Consider using phrases like "we sought", "we endeavored", or "we aspired". These alternatives /s/we+sought, /s/we+endeavored, /s/we+aspired add a more sophisticated tone.

What's a less formal way to say "we were striving"?

You could say "we were trying" or "we aimed" for a more casual tone. The phrase /s/we+were+trying suggests a general attempt, while /s/we+aimed implies a specific target.

In what situations is "we were striving" most appropriate?

"We were striving" works well in formal reports, presentations, or articles where you want to emphasize effort and determination toward a specific goal. It is less suited for casual conversation.

Is there a difference between "we were striving" and "we were trying"?

Yes, "we were striving" implies a more intense and sustained effort than /s/we+were+trying. Striving suggests overcoming obstacles and pushing oneself to achieve something difficult.