Understanding ‘Strive’: The Power of Persistent Effort
Explore the meaning and usage of the verb ‘strive’. Learn its definition, origins, synonyms, and how to use it correctly in sentences. Discover common mistakes to avoid and why striving is crucial for achieving goals.
Imagine you’re working towards a goal that seems just out of reach. You’re putting in extra hours, pushing yourself to the limit, and refusing to give up.
This determined effort is exactly what it means to strive.
Word type: Strive is a verb.
Meaning: To strive means to make great efforts to achieve or obtain something.
It involves trying very hard and working diligently towards a goal, often in the face of difficulties or obstacles.
Word history: The word strive comes from the Old French word estriver, which meant to quarrel or compete.
Over time, its meaning evolved to focus more on making earnest efforts rather than just competing.
Synonyms: Some words with similar meanings to strive include endeavor, attempt, struggle, and persevere.
Antonyms: Words that mean the opposite of strive include surrender, give up, and abandon.
Examples use in sentences:
Let’s look at how we can use strive in different contexts: Many students strive to achieve high grades in their exams.
The company strives to provide excellent customer service at all times. As an athlete, she strives to improve her performance with each competition.
Environmental activists strive to raise awareness about climate change. Common errors in use: One common mistake is confusing strive with thrive.
While strive means to make great efforts, thrive means to prosper or flourish. For example, you might say Plants strive to reach sunlight, but once they do, they thrive.
Another error is using strive with for instead of to. The correct usage is strive to do something, not strive for do something.
For instance, We strive to meet our deadlines is correct, while We strive for meet our deadlines is incorrect.
Remember, to strive is to put in consistent, determined effort towards a goal. Whether you’re preparing for the IELTS exam or working towards any other objective, the act of striving – of pushing yourself and not giving up – is often key to success.
By incorporating this word into your vocabulary and, more importantly, embodying its meaning in your actions, you’re already on the path to achieving your aims.
