努力奋斗
To work hard and strive means to put a lot of effort into achieving a difficult goal.
Explanation at your level:
You work hard when you do a lot of work. You strive when you want something very much. Together, it means you are a very good worker who wants to reach a goal. You study English every day, so you are working hard and striving!
When you have a big goal, you need to work hard. Striving means you try your best even when things are difficult. If you want to learn to play the guitar, you must practice every day. That is working hard and striving for your dream.
To work hard and strive is to show dedication. It is not just about doing tasks; it is about having a vision. People who work hard and strive often achieve their goals because they do not give up when they face a problem. It is a positive way to describe someone's character.
This phrase is often used in professional contexts to describe a strong work ethic. It implies a sense of ambition. When you say someone 'works hard and strives for success,' you are highlighting their persistence. It is a nuanced way to say that someone is not just active, but also purposeful.
In advanced English, this phrase can be used to describe the human condition—the constant pursuit of improvement. It suggests a high level of agency. Whether in academic research or creative endeavors, 'working hard and striving' denotes a trajectory of growth. It is a sophisticated way to frame one's career path or personal development.
The usage of 'strive' carries a slightly literary or elevated weight compared to 'work hard.' When combined, they create a rhythmic balance that is often found in speeches or formal biographies. It captures the intersection of labor and aspiration. It acknowledges that the path to mastery is paved with both effort and the internal drive to reach beyond one's current limitations.
الكلمة في 30 ثانية
- To work hard means to put in effort.
- To strive means to aim for a goal.
- Together they imply purposeful effort.
- Use them to show ambition and grit.
When we say someone is working hard and striving, we are talking about more than just being busy. It is about having a goal and putting your heart into it.
Think of it as the difference between just walking and climbing a mountain. Striving adds that extra layer of passion and grit to your daily tasks.
It is a phrase often used to describe people who are ambitious and resilient. Whether you are studying for an exam or starting a business, this phrase captures the spirit of persistent effort.
The word strive comes from the Old French estriver, which meant to struggle or contend. It has roots in Germanic languages, reflecting a long history of human effort.
The phrase work hard is a classic English pairing that emphasizes the physical or mental toll of labor. Over time, combining these two concepts created a powerful way to describe a dedicated work ethic.
Historically, this language was used in literature to describe heroes who faced great odds. Today, it is used in professional and personal development contexts to highlight the journey of success.
You can use this phrase in both professional and casual settings. It sounds great in a cover letter when you say, 'I have always worked hard and striven for excellence.'
Commonly, it is paired with words like success, goals, or dreams. For example, 'She continues to work hard and strive for a better future.'
While work hard is very common, adding strive elevates the tone. It makes your statement sound more intentional and aspirational.
Go the extra mile: Doing more than what is expected.
Burn the midnight oil: Working late into the night.
Put your nose to the grindstone: To work very hard for a long period.
Give it your all: To exert maximum effort.
Roll up your sleeves: To prepare for hard work.
This is a verbal phrase. You can change the tense: 'He works hard and strives' or 'They worked hard and strove'.
The word strive is an irregular verb. Its past tense is strove and the past participle is striven.
Pronunciation: /tuː wɜːrk hɑːrd ænd straɪv/. The stress is usually balanced across the phrase, but emphasize 'hard' and 'strive' for impact.
Fun Fact
The word 'strive' originally implied a physical contest or battle.
Pronunciation Guide
Crisp 'r' sounds, clear 'strive'.
Strong rhotic 'r', clear vowels.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing 'strive' as 'streeve'
- Dropping the 'r' in 'work'
- Confusing 'hard' with 'heart'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to understand.
Simple to use.
Commonly used.
Clear pronunciation.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
متقدم
Grammar to Know
Infinitive of purpose
He works to learn.
Irregular verbs
strive-strove-striven
Adverb usage
He works hard.
Examples by Level
I work hard every day.
I / work hard / every day
Simple present tense.
He strives to be good.
He / tries / to be / good
Third person singular 's'.
They work hard together.
They / work / hard / together
Adverb 'hard'.
I want to strive for success.
I want / to try / for / success
Infinitive verb.
She works hard at school.
She / works / hard / at school
Prepositional phrase.
We work hard to learn.
We / work / hard / to learn
Purpose clause.
Do you work hard?
Do / you / work / hard
Question structure.
I strive to be happy.
I / try / to be / happy
Infinitive.
She works hard to finish her homework.
He strives to win the race.
They work hard for their family.
I strive to be a better person.
We work hard every summer.
He works hard at his new job.
She strives to learn new things.
They work hard to save money.
The team works hard and strives for victory.
She has always worked hard and striven for excellence.
If you work hard and strive, you will succeed.
He works hard and strives to improve his skills.
Students should work hard and strive for their dreams.
They work hard and strive to make a difference.
I work hard and strive to meet my deadlines.
We work hard and strive to be honest.
He is known for working hard and striving for perfection.
She works hard and strives to overcome every obstacle.
To reach the top, you must work hard and strive daily.
They work hard and strive to maintain high standards.
I admire people who work hard and strive for greatness.
He works hard and strives to balance his life.
She works hard and strives to lead by example.
We work hard and strive to innovate in our field.
The candidate works hard and strives to articulate a clear vision.
She works hard and strives to transcend her previous limitations.
It is essential to work hard and strive for equity in the workplace.
He works hard and strives to cultivate a culture of integrity.
They work hard and strive to achieve sustainable growth.
I work hard and strive to remain focused on the long-term goal.
She works hard and strives to master the complexities of her craft.
We work hard and strive to push the boundaries of our knowledge.
The artist works hard and strives to capture the essence of the human spirit.
He works hard and strives to reconcile his ideals with reality.
She works hard and strives to leave a legacy of compassion.
They work hard and strive to navigate the challenges of a global market.
I work hard and strive to embody the values I preach.
He works hard and strives to achieve a state of flow in his work.
She works hard and strives to maintain equilibrium under pressure.
We work hard and strive to foster innovation through relentless inquiry.
تلازمات شائعة
Idioms & Expressions
"Break a sweat"
To work hard.
He didn't even break a sweat.
casual"Give it your all"
To try as hard as possible.
You must give it your all.
neutral"Keep your nose to the grindstone"
To work hard consistently.
Keep your nose to the grindstone.
casual"Burn the midnight oil"
To work late.
She burned the midnight oil.
neutral"Pull your weight"
To do your fair share of work.
Everyone needs to pull their weight.
neutral"Go the extra mile"
To do more than required.
He always goes the extra mile.
neutralEasily Confused
Looks like 'hard'.
Hardly means 'almost not'.
I hardly slept vs I worked hard.
Sounds like 'strive'.
Strife is a noun meaning conflict.
The country was in strife.
Often confused with 'strove'.
Strive is present, strove is past.
I strive now, I strove then.
Sounds like 'strive'.
Thrive means to grow well.
Plants thrive in the sun.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + works hard + to + verb
He works hard to succeed.
Subject + strives + for + noun
She strives for perfection.
Subject + strives + to + verb
They strive to improve.
Work hard + and + strive + for + noun
Work hard and strive for your dreams.
Always + work hard + and + strive
Always work hard and strive.
عائلة الكلمة
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
مرتبط
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
أخطاء شائعة
Strive usually takes an object or infinitive, not 'to work'.
'Hardly' means 'almost not'.
Strove is the traditional past tense.
Don't double up prepositions.
Strive for a noun, strive to for a verb.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize a goal at the top of a hill and you climbing it.
When Native Speakers Use It
In speeches or motivational talks.
Cultural Insight
Reflects the 'American Dream' work ethic.
Grammar Shortcut
Strive + to (verb) / strive + for (noun).
Say It Right
Ensure the 'v' in strive is voiced.
Don't Make This Mistake
Avoid 'hardly' when you mean 'hard'.
Did You Know?
Strive is related to the word 'strife' (conflict).
Study Smart
Write 3 goals using the word 'strive'.
Professional Tone
Use this in your CV.
Rhyme Time
Practice with 'drive' and 'thrive'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Strive to drive your success.
Visual Association
A person climbing a steep mountain.
Word Web
تحدٍّ
Use the phrase in a sentence today.
أصل الكلمة
Germanic / French
Original meaning: Strive: to struggle; Work: to labor
السياق الثقافي
None, universally positive.
Highly valued in Western cultures, especially in business and education.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- strive for efficiency
- work hard on the project
- strive to meet targets
At school
- work hard on assignments
- strive for high grades
- strive to learn
Sports
- strive for victory
- work hard in training
- strive to be the best
Personal life
- strive for happiness
- work hard for a family
- strive to be kind
Conversation Starters
"What are you currently striving to achieve?"
"Do you think working hard is enough for success?"
"What is something you have worked hard for recently?"
"Who is someone you know that works hard and strives?"
"How do you stay motivated when you strive for a goal?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you worked hard for something.
What are your main goals that you are striving for?
How do you balance working hard and resting?
Describe a person you admire who works hard and strives.
الأسئلة الشائعة
8 أسئلةIt is slightly more formal than 'try', but common in everyday speech.
They have different nuances; 'work hard' is about labor, 'strive' is about intent.
Strove or strived (both are used).
Yes, it is very common in mission statements.
Use 'strive to' + verb.
Use 'strive for' + noun.
No, it is a literal phrase.
Yes, it is grammatically correct.
اختبر نفسك
I ___ hard every day.
Standard phrase.
What does 'strive' mean?
Striving is about effort.
Strive is an irregular verb.
Past tense is strove.
Word
المعنى
Definitions match.
I strive for success.
She ___ for excellence.
Past tense fits.
Which is a synonym for strive?
Endeavor is formal.
Hardly means very hard.
Hardly means almost not.
Word
المعنى
Nuanced meanings.
Work hard and strive to.
النتيجة: /10
Summary
Working hard and striving is the secret recipe for turning your dreams into reality.
- To work hard means to put in effort.
- To strive means to aim for a goal.
- Together they imply purposeful effort.
- Use them to show ambition and grit.
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize a goal at the top of a hill and you climbing it.
When Native Speakers Use It
In speeches or motivational talks.
Cultural Insight
Reflects the 'American Dream' work ethic.
Grammar Shortcut
Strive + to (verb) / strive + for (noun).
مثال
我们要为美好的未来努力奋斗。
Related Content
هذه الكلمة بلغات أخرى
مزيد من كلمات work
充裕的
B2Abundant, ample, or sufficient in quantity.
事故
A2accident; mishap
依照
A2According to; in accordance with.
准确地
A2accurately, precisely
做到
A2to achieve; to accomplish
积极地
A2actively; enthusiastically
应变
B2Adaptive; capable of dealing with emergencies.
行政
A2Administration; the management of affairs.
过后
A2Afterwards; at a later or subsequent time.
赞同
A2To approve of, to endorse; to agree with or support.
