We strive to

Using this phrase is like putting on a sharp blazer for a Zoom call. It immediately levels up your language. You almost always follow it with a verb in its base form (the infinitive). For example, we strive to provide or we strive to improve. You’ll see it everywhere in the corporate world. It appears on 'About Us' pages, in the footer of apps like Netflix or Uber, and in those long emails from your HR department. It’s a great way to talk about your values. Just remember, it’s a bit heavy for small talk. If you tell your friend, 'I strive to eat my toast,' they might think you’ve joined a weird cult. Save it for the big goals!

This is a solid 'Formal' on the scale. It belongs in business emails, job interviews, and public statements. It’s the kind of English you use when you want to sound reliable and high-status. You won't find this in a casual WhatsApp group unless someone is being deeply sarcastic. It’s very common in the 'CSR' (Corporate Social Responsibility) world. If a brand wants to sound ethical, they will 'strive to reduce their carbon footprint.' It’s safe, polite, and sounds like you have a five-year plan for everything. Even if your only five-year plan is to finally finish that one series on Disney+.

You’ll notice this phrase in the wild more often than you think. Open any food delivery app and look at the 'Help' section. It probably says something like, we strive to deliver your food hot and fresh. It’s their way of saying, 'We really want it to be hot, but if the driver gets lost, please don't be too mad.' You’ll see it on LinkedIn profiles where people write, I strive to empower my team. It’s the language of leadership. Even on social media, influencers use it when they want to sound more professional. They might post, we strive to create content that inspires you. It’s basically the 'Main Character Energy' of the business world.

Reach for this phrase when the stakes are high. It’s perfect for a job interview when they ask about your work ethic. You can say, I strive to exceed expectations. It’s also great for customer service. If a customer is unhappy, saying we strive to provide a better experience sounds much more professional than 'we will try harder next time.' Use it in mission statements, vision boards, or when writing a formal apology on behalf of a group. It shows that you take the situation seriously. It’s for when 'trying' just isn't enough to describe your passion.

Don't use this for low-effort activities. If you say, we strive to watch Netflix on Sundays, it sounds like you’re doing hard labor on the couch. Avoid it in very close, casual friendships. Telling your best friend, I strive to text you back, makes it sound like texting them is a difficult corporate goal. Also, avoid using it if you have already achieved the goal. Strive is about the *effort*, not the *result*. If the project is finished, just say 'we did it.' Using strive there makes it sound like you're still working on it, which is just confusing for everyone involved.

One big mistake is mixing up the preposition. People often say ✗ we strive for to improve. That’s a total tongue-twister. Another mistake is using it for things that are out of your control. You can’t ✗ strive to make it stop raining. Unless you are a weather god, that’s not going to work. Some people also use it when they should just use 'try.' ✗ I strive to open the jar. Just use your muscles and try! Save the 'striving' for your career or your personal growth. Also, remember that strive is usually for ongoing things, not one-off tasks.

If we strive to feels a bit too stiff, you can use we aim to. It’s slightly more neutral and very common in UK English. If you want to sound even more intense, try we are committed to. That sounds like you’ve signed a contract with your soul. For a more modern, tech-startup vibe, people often use we’re on a mission to. That makes it sound like you’re wearing a hoodie and working in a garage in Silicon Valley. In very formal legal documents, you might even see we endeavor to. That’s the final boss of formal English verbs.

Is it 'strive to' or 'strive for'? Both are correct, but they work differently. Use strive to before a verb (action) and strive for before a noun (a thing). For example, strive to win versus strive for victory. It’s a subtle difference, but using the right one makes you sound like a pro. Can I use it for myself? Absolutely! While companies love it, you can say I strive to be better every day. It’s a very positive way to talk about self-improvement. Just don't say it while you're eating a whole pizza by yourself—that's a bit of a mixed message!