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B1 Noun #42 le plus courant 11 min de lecture

striving

Top 42

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces striving en 30 secondes

Explication striving in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'striving' is a very advanced word. You probably won't use it yet. Instead, you use 'trying hard.' For example, 'I am trying hard to learn English.' Striving is like 'trying hard' but much stronger and more serious. It means you are working very, very much to reach a big goal. Imagine a runner who is very tired but keeps running to win a race. That is striving. It is not just doing something once; it is doing it many times and not giving up. Even if it is difficult, you keep going. In A1, you can think of it as 'big effort.' You might see it in books, but you don't need to say it in your daily life yet. Just remember it means 'working very hard for something important.'

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At the A2 level, you can start to understand that 'striving' is a special kind of effort. It is a noun that describes the act of working toward a goal. You might hear it in school or in stories. For example, 'The student's striving for good grades was successful.' This means the student worked very hard for a long time. It is different from 'trying' because 'trying' can be for small things, like trying a new food. 'Striving' is for big things, like striving to be a better person. It is a more formal word. When you use 'striving,' you show that the goal is very important to you. It is a good word to know when you read about famous people who worked hard to change the world.

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At the B1 level, 'striving' is a useful word for describing personal goals and ambitions. You can use it in your writing to sound more professional and precise. Instead of saying 'He worked hard to get the job,' you can say 'His striving for the position was finally rewarded.' This adds a sense of dedication and persistence to your sentence. You should also learn the common patterns, like 'striving for' and 'striving after.' At this level, you can use 'striving' to talk about social issues, like 'the striving for equality.' It is a word that helps you express complex ideas about human effort and motivation. It is also important to distinguish it from 'struggling,' which is more about having problems than about reaching goals.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'striving' fluently in both academic and professional contexts. You understand that it carries a connotation of noble and persistent effort. You can use it to discuss abstract concepts, such as 'the striving for truth' or 'the striving for artistic perfection.' You should also be comfortable using the plural form 'strivings' to describe the collective efforts of a group or the various attempts made by an individual. For example, 'The strivings of the early scientists paved the way for modern medicine.' At this level, you can appreciate the nuance between 'striving' and its synonyms like 'endeavor' or 'pursuit,' and choose the one that best fits the tone of your writing. You are also aware of its use in psychological and philosophical texts.

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At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the rhetorical power of 'striving.' You can use it to create a specific tone in your writing—one of inspiration, seriousness, or philosophical reflection. You recognize its use in classical literature and can use it yourself to elevate your style. You understand the subtle difference between 'striving for' and 'striving after,' and you can use the word to describe complex human motivations. For example, you might analyze 'the striving for power' in a political context or 'the striving for meaning' in a psychological one. You are also aware of how the word has been used historically in different cultural and religious traditions. Your use of 'striving' is precise, sophisticated, and contextually appropriate.

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At the C2 level, 'striving' is a tool you use with mastery. You can use it to explore the finest nuances of human effort and ambition. You might use it in a critique of modern society, discussing the 'ceaseless striving' for material wealth, or in a philosophical essay about the nature of the human spirit. You are familiar with its use in various specialized fields, from psychology to theology, and can navigate these different meanings with ease. You can also play with the word's connotations, perhaps using it ironically or to highlight the futility of certain efforts. Your command of 'striving' and its related forms and synonyms allows you to express the most complex and subtle ideas about the human condition with clarity and elegance.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

striving en 30 secondes

Striving is a noun that means making a big, serious, and long-term effort to reach a goal.
It is more formal than 'trying' and implies that the goal is important and difficult.
Commonly used in phrases like 'striving for excellence' or 'striving for success.'
It focuses on the process of the effort rather than just the final result.

The word striving as a noun represents the deep, internal engine of human progress. It is not merely 'working' or 'trying'; it is the sustained, often arduous process of reaching for a higher state, a better version of oneself, or a difficult objective. When we talk about striving, we are discussing the persistent energy behind ambition. It suggests a journey that is not always easy, filled with hurdles that require grit and determination to overcome. In psychological terms, striving is often linked to self-actualization—the desire to fulfill one's potential. It is a word that carries a certain weight of nobility, implying that the effort itself is valuable, regardless of the immediate outcome. People use this word when they want to emphasize the long-term nature of an effort. You don't 'strive' to open a door; you 'strive' to master a language, to bring peace to a region, or to achieve financial independence. It is the hallmark of the visionary and the dedicated worker alike.

Philosophical Context: In many philosophical traditions, striving is seen as the essence of life. To stop striving is to stagnate. It is the active engagement with the world to create meaning.
Professional Application: In the workplace, striving for excellence is a common phrase used to describe a culture where employees are encouraged to go beyond the minimum requirements to achieve superior results.
Personal Growth: On a personal level, striving involves the conscious effort to improve one's character, skills, or health over a lifetime.

Her constant striving for perfection often left her exhausted but ultimately led to her becoming a world-class pianist.

The history of science is a history of human striving against the limits of current knowledge.

Without the striving of the early pioneers, these lands would never have been settled.

Economic striving is the primary driver of innovation in modern competitive markets.

The athlete's striving was evident in every drop of sweat during the final lap.

Furthermore, striving is often contrasted with 'attaining.' While attaining is the moment of reaching the goal, striving is the long road that leads there. In literature, characters are often defined by their strivings—their internal and external battles to reach a state of grace, wealth, or love. It is a deeply humanistic term, suggesting that our value lies in our attempts to better our circumstances. In modern discourse, we see 'striving' used in discussions about social mobility (the striving of the working class) and in environmental contexts (the striving for a sustainable future). It is a versatile noun that elevates the description of effort to something more meaningful and spiritually resonant.

Using striving correctly requires understanding its role as a gerund-noun. It functions as the subject or object of a sentence, representing the concept of effort. For example, 'Striving is necessary for growth.' Here, 'striving' is the subject. It can also be modified by adjectives to provide more detail about the nature of the effort, such as 'constant striving,' 'tireless striving,' or 'fruitless striving.' When you use it, you are often painting a picture of someone who is not giving up, even when the path is steep. It is frequently found in formal writing, speeches, and motivational literature because of its inspirational tone.

As a Subject: 'Striving for excellence is the hallmark of our company culture.' In this case, the act of striving itself is the focus of the sentence.
As an Object: 'The community appreciated his lifelong striving for social justice.' Here, the striving is the thing that is being appreciated.
With Adjectives: 'Their ceaseless striving eventually paid off when the cure was discovered.' The adjective 'ceaseless' emphasizes that the effort never stopped.

The artist's striving to capture the perfect light lasted for decades.

There is a certain beauty in the striving of a seedling to reach the sun through the concrete.

Political striving often involves compromise and long-term negotiation.

His striving after worldly riches left him feeling spiritually empty.

The collective striving of the team led to their victory in the championship.

When constructing sentences, consider the 'why' behind the striving. Because striving implies a goal, the sentence feels more complete when that goal is mentioned. 'His striving was intense' is grammatically correct but less impactful than 'His striving for a better life for his children was intense.' This connection between the effort and the objective is what gives the word its power. It also works well in the plural—'strivings'—to refer to multiple different efforts or the various attempts made by a group of people over time. For example, 'The strivings of the various factions eventually led to a peace treaty.' This plural form emphasizes the complexity and the multiple fronts on which the effort was made.

You will encounter the word striving in a variety of high-level contexts. It is a staple of graduation speeches, where orators encourage students to continue their 'striving for knowledge.' It appears frequently in business mission statements, where companies pledge their 'striving for innovation and customer satisfaction.' In the world of sports, commentators might speak of an athlete's 'years of striving' to reach the Olympic podium. It is also a key term in psychology and self-help literature, often used to describe the 'striving for superiority' (a concept from Alfred Adler) or the 'striving for self-actualization' (from Abraham Maslow). In these contexts, it describes a fundamental human drive.

Academic Lectures: Professors use 'striving' to describe historical movements, such as the 'striving for civil rights' or the 'striving for scientific truth' during the Enlightenment.
Corporate Values: In annual reports, you might read about a company's 'striving to reduce its carbon footprint,' signaling a serious and ongoing commitment.
Literature and Poetry: Poets often use 'striving' to describe the human condition—the eternal struggle against time, mortality, or fate.

'The striving of the human spirit is what builds civilizations,' the professor noted.

In the documentary, they highlighted the striving of the refugees to build new lives in a foreign land.

The CEO spoke about the striving for quality that defines the brand.

The novel explores the protagonist's striving for social acceptance in a rigid class system.

On the news, they discussed the striving of small businesses to survive the economic downturn.

In everyday conversation, 'striving' is less common than 'trying hard' or 'working on,' but when it is used, it signals that the speaker is talking about something significant. If a friend says, 'I've been striving to be more patient,' they are communicating that this is a major, ongoing personal project, not just a casual attempt. It carries a sense of vulnerability and honesty about the difficulty of the task. In religious contexts, 'striving' is often used to describe the spiritual path—the 'striving for holiness' or the 'striving to live according to one's faith.' This usage emphasizes that the spiritual life is an active, effortful journey rather than a passive state of being.

One of the most common mistakes with striving is confusing it with 'struggling.' While they are related, they have different connotations. 'Struggling' often implies that the person is having a hard time and might be failing or barely keeping their head above water. 'Striving,' on the other hand, is more positive and proactive; it implies a purposeful effort toward a goal, even if it is difficult. Another mistake is using 'striving' for minor or trivial tasks. You wouldn't say 'I am striving to find my keys.' That sounds overly dramatic. Striving should be reserved for significant, long-term goals. Finally, some learners forget that 'striving' can be a noun and only use it as a verb.

Striving vs. Struggling: Struggling suggests difficulty and potential failure. Striving suggests difficulty but with a strong, positive focus on a goal.
Over-Dramatization: Avoid using 'striving' for everyday chores. It is a 'big' word for 'big' efforts.
Grammatical Misuse: Remember that 'striving' can be the subject of your sentence. 'His striving was admirable' is better than 'His trying hard was admirable.'

Incorrect: I am striving to finish this sandwich. (Too trivial)

Correct: I am striving to finish my PhD thesis by the end of the year.

Incorrect: He is striving with his math homework. (Better: He is struggling with his math homework.)

Correct: His striving for mathematical mastery is impressive.

Incorrect: The striving to the top of the hill was hard. (Better: The climb to the top of the hill was hard.)

Another nuance is the preposition. While 'striving for' is the most common, 'striving after' is also used, particularly in older literature or when discussing more abstract concepts like 'striving after the wind' (meaning a futile effort). Using 'striving to' is also common when followed by a verb (e.g., 'striving to improve'). However, as a noun, it is almost always followed by 'for' or 'after.' Make sure you don't use 'striving at' unless you are talking about striving at a specific location or within a specific field, though even then, 'in' or 'for' is usually better. Understanding these small prepositional differences will help you sound more like a native speaker.

If you want to vary your vocabulary, there are several words similar to striving, each with its own flavor. 'Endeavor' is a very close synonym, often used for formal or large-scale projects. 'Pursuit' is excellent when the focus is on the act of following or chasing a goal, like the 'pursuit of happiness.' 'Exertion' focuses more on the physical or mental energy spent, while 'toil' suggests very hard, often repetitive or exhausting work. 'Aspiration' is more about the desire or the dream itself, rather than the active effort to achieve it. Choosing the right word depends on which aspect of the effort you want to highlight.

Striving vs. Endeavor: An 'endeavor' is often a specific project or task. 'Striving' is more of a continuous state or quality of effort.
Striving vs. Pursuit: 'Pursuit' implies a chase or a following of something. 'Striving' implies the internal push and the overcoming of obstacles.
Striving vs. Toil: 'Toil' is heavy, exhausting work. 'Striving' is also hard work, but it is usually seen as more purposeful and goal-oriented.

His striving for peace was a lifelong commitment.

The pursuit of profit should not come at the expense of ethics.

Scientific endeavor requires both imagination and rigorous testing.

Years of toil in the fields had aged him prematurely.

Her aspiration to become a doctor was finally realized.

Other less common but useful alternatives include 'struggle' (when the path is particularly difficult), 'labor' (when the effort is physically or mentally taxing), and 'quest' (when the effort feels like a grand adventure or a search for something sacred). In more modern, informal contexts, you might hear people talk about the 'hustle,' which carries some of the same meaning as striving but with a more commercial, fast-paced, and sometimes slightly negative connotation. 'Striving' remains the most dignified and universally positive of these terms, making it a safe and powerful choice for most serious writing and speaking situations.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

Neutre

Informel

Child friendly

Argot

Le savais-tu ?

While 'strive' originally meant to fight or argue, over centuries, the meaning shifted from external conflict to internal effort and ambition. It became a word of personal growth rather than social combat.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈstraɪ.vɪŋ/

US /ˈstraɪ.vɪŋ/

The stress is on the first syllable: STRI-ving.

Rime avec

Driving Thriving Arriving Surviving Reviving Contriving Depriving Deriving

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'i' like 'sit' instead of 'sight'.
Over-emphasizing the 'g' at the end.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'striving' (verb) which is the same, but used differently.
Mixing it up with 'striking'.
Pronouncing it as 'stree-ving'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 4/5

Common in literature and formal articles, but requires understanding of nuance.

Écriture 5/5

Harder to use correctly as a noun than as a verb.

Expression orale 5/5

Not very common in casual speech; can sound overly formal.

Écoute 4/5

Easily understood in context, but can be confused with 'struggling'.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

Try Effort Goal Hard Work

Apprends ensuite

Endeavor Persistence Ambition Exertion Aspiration

Avancé

Teleology Self-actualization Homeostasis Eudaimonia Wu Wei

Grammaire à connaître

Gerunds as Nouns

Striving is the key to success.

Prepositional Phrases after Nouns

His striving for peace was noble.

Adjective-Noun Agreement

Constant striving leads to growth.

Possessive Nouns

The athlete's striving was impressive.

Pluralizing Abstract Nouns

The strivings of many generations.

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Exemples par niveau

He is trying hard, or striving, to win.

Il fait de gros efforts pour gagner.

Striving is like 'trying very hard.'

Striving for a goal is good.

S'efforcer d'atteindre un but est une bonne chose.

Here, 'striving' is the subject of the sentence.

She likes striving for better grades.

Elle aime s'efforcer d'obtenir de meilleures notes.

Striving is used as a noun here.

Their striving made them happy.

Leurs efforts les ont rendus heureux.

The word 'their' shows possession of the striving.

Is striving hard?

Est-ce que s'efforcer est difficile ?

A simple question using striving as the subject.

We see striving in sports.

Nous voyons des efforts dans le sport.

Striving is the object of the verb 'see.'

His striving was very long.

Ses efforts ont été très longs.

The adjective 'long' describes the striving.

I understand your striving.

Je comprends tes efforts.

Striving is used as a common noun.

The student's striving for excellence was clear.

L'effort de l'étudiant pour l'excellence était clair.

Possessive form 'student's' modifies striving.

Constant striving can be tiring.

Un effort constant peut être fatiguant.

The adjective 'constant' describes the frequency.

They talked about their striving for peace.

Ils ont parlé de leurs efforts pour la paix.

Striving is followed by the preposition 'for.'

Without striving, we cannot grow.

Sans efforts, nous ne pouvons pas grandir.

Striving follows the preposition 'without.'

Her striving for the prize was intense.

Ses efforts pour le prix étaient intenses.

The adjective 'intense' describes the quality of effort.

The book is about the striving of poor people.

Le livre porte sur les efforts des personnes pauvres.

Striving is the main topic of the sentence.

Is your striving for a better life working?

Est-ce que tes efforts pour une vie meilleure fonctionnent ?

A complex subject: 'your striving for a better life.'

We appreciate your honest striving.

Nous apprécions tes efforts honnêtes.

The adjective 'honest' adds a moral quality.

The striving for social justice is a long journey.

La lutte pour la justice sociale est un long voyage.

Striving is used in a social and political context.

He found meaning in his daily striving.

Il a trouvé un sens dans ses efforts quotidiens.

The adjective 'daily' shows the routine nature.

Her striving after perfection was her greatest weakness.

Sa recherche de la perfection était sa plus grande faiblesse.

The preposition 'after' is used for abstract goals.

The company's striving for innovation led to success.

Les efforts de l'entreprise pour l'innovation ont mené au succès.

Striving is used in a professional context.

Years of striving finally paid off.

Des années d'efforts ont enfin porté leurs fruits.

The phrase 'paid off' is a common collocation.

There is no growth without constant striving.

Il n'y a pas de croissance sans efforts constants.

A strong philosophical statement.

The film depicts the striving of the human spirit.

Le film dépeint les efforts de l'esprit humain.

The verb 'depicts' is often used with 'striving.'

Her striving was not in vain.

Ses efforts n'ont pas été vains.

The phrase 'not in vain' means the effort was successful.

The strivings of the various departments must be coordinated.

Les efforts des différents départements doivent être coordonnés.

Plural form 'strivings' used for multiple groups.

Economic striving is a key driver of development.

L'effort économique est un moteur clé du développement.

Striving used in an economic context.

The novel explores the protagonist's inner striving.

Le roman explore les efforts intérieurs du protagoniste.

The adjective 'inner' refers to psychological effort.

Their striving for a compromise lasted all night.

Leurs efforts pour un compromis ont duré toute la nuit.

Striving for a specific outcome in a negotiation.

Is all this striving really worth it?

Est-ce que tous ces efforts en valent vraiment la peine ?

A reflective question about the value of effort.

The history of art is a history of striving.

L'histoire de l'art est une histoire d'efforts.

A broad, academic generalization.

Her striving for independence was met with resistance.

Ses efforts pour l'indépendance ont rencontré de la résistance.

Striving in the face of opposition.

The athlete's striving was evident in her performance.

L'effort de l'athlète était évident dans sa performance.

The adjective 'evident' shows the effort was visible.

The ceaseless striving for power often leads to corruption.

La recherche incessante du pouvoir mène souvent à la corruption.

The adjective 'ceaseless' adds a critical tone.

The philosopher discussed the striving for self-actualization.

Le philosophe a discuté de la recherche de l'accomplissement de soi.

Academic use in the context of psychology/philosophy.

The strivings of the past inform our present actions.

Les efforts du passé informent nos actions présentes.

Plural 'strivings' used for historical context.

There is a nobility in the striving, even if the goal is not reached.

Il y a une noblesse dans l'effort, même si le but n'est pas atteint.

A sophisticated moral observation.

The report highlights the striving of the local community.

Le rapport souligne les efforts de la communauté locale.

Formal use in a professional report.

Her intellectual striving was matched only by her curiosity.

Ses efforts intellectuels n'avaient d'égal que sa curiosité.

The adjective 'intellectual' specifies the type of effort.

The poem captures the tragic striving of the hero.

Le poème capture l'effort tragique du héros.

Literary analysis of a character's actions.

We must move beyond mere striving to actual achievement.

Nous devons aller au-delà du simple effort pour parvenir à une réussite réelle.

The adjective 'mere' downplays the effort compared to the result.

The dialectic of striving and attainment is central to his work.

La dialectique de l'effort et de l'accomplissement est centrale dans son œuvre.

High-level academic and philosophical terminology.

The existential striving for meaning in a chaotic world.

L'effort existentiel pour trouver un sens dans un monde chaotique.

Deeply philosophical and abstract usage.

The strivings of the soul are often hidden from the world.

Les efforts de l'âme sont souvent cachés au monde.

Poetic and spiritual use of the plural form.

His life was a testament to the power of persistent striving.

Sa vie était un témoignage de la puissance de l'effort persistant.

A formal, eulogistic expression.

The inherent striving of the organism toward homeostasis.

L'effort inhérent de l'organisme vers l'homéostasie.

Scientific use in biology or psychology.

The strivings of various political factions often result in gridlock.

Les efforts de diverses factions politiques aboutissent souvent à une impasse.

Analysis of complex political dynamics.

There is an aesthetic quality to the striving of the dancer.

Il y a une qualité esthétique dans l'effort du danseur.

Artistic critique and observation.

The striving for an ideal is what separates us from the beasts.

L'effort pour un idéal est ce qui nous sépare des bêtes.

A grand, humanistic generalization.

Collocations courantes

constant striving

ceaseless striving

striving for excellence

striving for perfection

striving for success

striving after truth

intellectual striving

spiritual striving

lifelong striving

fruitless striving

Phrases Courantes

striving for a better life

— Working hard to improve one's living conditions.

Many immigrants are striving for a better life.

striving for equality

— The effort to ensure everyone has the same rights.

The movement is striving for equality in the workplace.

striving for a goal

— The act of working toward a specific objective.

Striving for a goal gives life meaning.

striving to be the best

— The effort to reach the top of one's field.

He is always striving to be the best athlete.

striving for balance

— Trying to find a healthy middle ground.

She is striving for balance between work and family.

striving for peace

— The effort to end conflict and achieve harmony.

The diplomats are striving for peace in the region.

striving for knowledge

— The pursuit of learning and understanding.

A university is dedicated to the striving for knowledge.

striving for independence

— The effort to become self-reliant.

The young nation is striving for independence.

striving for justice

— The effort to ensure fairness and lawfulness.

Lawyers are often striving for justice for their clients.

striving for health

— The effort to improve one's physical well-being.

He is striving for health through diet and exercise.

Souvent confondu avec

striving vs Struggling

Struggling implies difficulty and potential failure; striving implies difficulty but with a positive goal.

striving vs Striking

Striking means hitting something or being very noticeable; striving is about effort.

striving vs Thriving

Thriving means doing very well and being successful; striving is the effort to get there.

Expressions idiomatiques

"striving after the wind"

— A futile or useless effort that achieves nothing.

Chasing fame is often just striving after the wind.

Literary/Biblical

"striving for the stars"

— Having very high and ambitious goals.

The young scientist was striving for the stars with her research.

Informal/Poetic

"striving against the tide"

— Working against a strong opposing force or trend.

Trying to save the old building was striving against the tide of modernization.

Idiomatic

"striving to make ends meet"

— Working hard just to have enough money to live.

With the rising costs, many families are striving to make ends meet.

Common

"striving for a place in the sun"

— Working to achieve a position of success or recognition.

Every new company is striving for a place in the sun.

Idiomatic

"striving for the top"

— Working to reach the highest level of success.

He has been striving for the top since he started his career.

Neutral

"striving for a breakthrough"

— Working hard to make a significant discovery or progress.

The researchers are striving for a breakthrough in cancer treatment.

Neutral

"striving for a win-win"

— Working to find a solution that benefits everyone.

In the negotiation, they were striving for a win-win outcome.

Business

"striving for the impossible"

— Working toward a goal that seems unreachable.

Some say he is striving for the impossible, but he won't give up.

Neutral

"striving for a legacy"

— Working to leave something meaningful behind after one is gone.

The philanthropist was striving for a legacy of education.

Formal

Facile à confondre

striving vs Strive

It is the verb form of the same concept.

Strive is an action (I strive); striving is the concept or the act itself (My striving).

I strive for success, but my striving often makes me tired.

striving vs Strife

Similar sound and same etymological root.

Strife means angry disagreement or conflict; striving means hard work toward a goal.

The political strife in the country made any striving for peace difficult.

striving vs Straining

Both involve effort.

Straining implies pushing to the point of injury or over-extension; striving is more sustainable and goal-oriented.

He was straining his muscles, but his striving for the record was what kept him going.

striving vs Driving

Rhymes and involves movement.

Driving is operating a vehicle or a literal push; striving is a metaphorical push toward a goal.

Driving a car is easy, but striving for a racing career is hard.

striving vs Arriving

Rhymes.

Arriving is the end of a journey; striving is the journey itself.

Arriving at the destination is the reward for all your striving.

Structures de phrases

I am [striving] for [goal].

I am striving for a win.

[Possessive] [striving] is [adjective].

His striving is great.

[Striving] for [goal] is [adjective].

Striving for excellence is important.

The [adjective] [striving] of [group] led to [result].

The collective striving of the team led to victory.

There is a [noun] in the [striving] for [abstract goal].

There is a beauty in the striving for truth.

The [noun] of [striving] and [noun] defines [concept].

The dialectic of striving and attainment defines the human condition.

Academic

The [adjective] [striving] toward [goal] characterizes [subject].

The inherent striving toward homeostasis characterizes all living organisms.

Literary

His was a life of [adjective] [striving].

His was a life of ceaseless striving.

Famille de mots

Noms

Verbes

Adjectifs

Apparenté

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Medium-High in formal writing; Medium-Low in casual speech.

Erreurs courantes

Using 'striving' for trivial tasks. → I am trying to find my socks.
Striving is reserved for significant, long-term efforts.
Confusing 'striving' with 'struggling'. → He is striving for success.
Struggling implies you are having a hard time and might fail; striving is more positive.
Using the wrong preposition (e.g., 'striving at'). → She is striving for a promotion.
The standard prepositions are 'for' and 'after'.
Using 'striving' only as a verb. → Her striving was admirable.
Don't forget that 'striving' can be a noun and the subject of a sentence.
Mispronouncing the 'i' sound. → STRI-ving (rhymes with driving).
The 'i' should be a long 'i' sound, not a short one like in 'sit'.

Astuces

Elevate Your Writing

Replace 'trying hard' with 'striving' in your formal essays to show a more sophisticated vocabulary and a deeper understanding of human effort.

Noun vs. Verb

Remember that 'striving' can be the subject of your sentence. 'Striving is essential' is a strong way to start a paragraph.

Choose the Right Preposition

Use 'for' for most goals and 'after' for more abstract or philosophical pursuits to sound more like a native speaker.

Cultural Awareness

Be aware that 'striving' is a key value in many cultures, but some philosophies emphasize balance and 'non-striving' as well.

Pronunciation Practice

Practice saying 'striving' and 'struggling' back-to-back to ensure you can hear and produce the difference clearly.

Avoid Overuse

Because 'striving' is a powerful word, don't use it too many times in one paragraph. Mix it with synonyms like 'endeavor' or 'pursuit.'

Podcast Gold

Listen for this word in motivational or educational podcasts; it's a favorite of speakers who want to inspire their audience.

The 'Drive' Connection

Connect 'striving' with 'driving' in your mind. Both involve moving forward with purpose and energy.

Literature Check

When you see 'striving' in a book, ask yourself: What is the character's goal? This helps you understand their motivation.

Plural Power

Use 'strivings' when you want to talk about the history of a movement or the many different ways people have tried to achieve something.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Striving' as 'STrength + dRIVING.' You need strength to drive yourself toward a goal.

Association visuelle

Imagine a person climbing a steep mountain. They are tired, but they keep looking up at the peak. That climb is their striving.

Word Web

Effort Goal Persistence Hard Work Ambition Success Obstacles Growth

Défi

Write three sentences about a long-term goal you have, using the word 'striving' as a noun in at least one of them.

Origine du mot

The word 'striving' comes from the verb 'strive,' which entered Middle English from the Old French word 'estriver,' meaning 'to quarrel, dispute, or resist.'

Sens originel : Originally, it had a more aggressive meaning related to conflict or competition.

It is part of the Germanic influence on French, originally from a Frankish word related to 'strife.'

Contexte culturel

Be careful not to use 'striving' in a way that implies someone's current situation is their own fault because they aren't 'striving' enough, as this can be insensitive to systemic barriers.

In the US and UK, 'striving' is often seen as a positive, patriotic quality associated with progress and self-improvement.

Alfred Adler's 'Striving for Superiority' The 'pursuit of happiness' in the US Declaration of Independence (related concept) Goethe's Faust: 'Whoever strives upward with all his might, him we can redeem.'

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Academic Writing

The striving for knowledge
Intellectual striving
A history of striving
The striving for truth

Business/Professional

Striving for excellence
Striving for innovation
A culture of striving
Constant striving for quality

Personal Development

Striving for a better self
Striving for balance
The striving for happiness
Lifelong striving

Social/Political

The striving for equality
Striving for justice
Collective striving
Striving for peace

Sports/Athletics

Years of striving
Striving for the podium
The athlete's striving
Striving for a personal best

Amorces de conversation

"Do you think striving for perfection is a good thing or a bad thing?"

"What is one goal you are currently striving for in your life?"

"How do you maintain your striving when things get difficult?"

"Is there a difference between striving and just working hard?"

"Can a society exist without the constant striving of its members?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe a time when your striving for a goal led to an unexpected result.

Write about the things you are striving for this year and why they matter.

Reflect on the difference between your internal striving and external pressure.

How does your cultural background influence the way you view striving?

If you stopped all striving for one week, what would happen?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It is almost always positive, as it implies dedication and a noble goal. However, it can be negative if the striving is 'fruitless' or 'excessive,' leading to burnout.

Yes, 'strivings' is common when referring to multiple different efforts or the efforts of many people over time. For example, 'The strivings of the ancestors.'

'Striving for' is more common for concrete goals (striving for a job). 'Striving after' is often used for abstract or elusive goals (striving after happiness).

They are related, but ambition is the *desire* to achieve, while striving is the *act* of working toward that achievement. Striving is ambition in action.

It's better not to. Using it for small tasks like 'striving to find a pen' sounds overly dramatic. Save it for significant efforts.

Yes, it is very common in mission statements and corporate values to describe a company's commitment to quality or innovation.

A striver is a person who works very hard to achieve success or a higher social status. It is the noun for the person doing the striving.

It is pronounced STRI-ving, with the 'i' sounding like the 'i' in 'light' or 'sight.'

Yes, it is the gerund form of the verb 'strive,' which allows it to function as a noun in a sentence.

Common adjectives include constant, ceaseless, tireless, noble, intellectual, spiritual, and fruitless.

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