Irregular verbs  Regular verbs

---

strive, strives, striving, striven, strove

Synonyms: endeavor, struggle, attempt, aim, try hard

---

Antonyms: relax, give up, surrender, abandon, be lazy

The Verb Strive – Definition, Usage, and Clarification


The verb strive is a formal irregular verb that means to make great efforts to achieve or obtain something. It implies a long-term and difficult struggle.


VERB FORMS


■ Base Form: strive
■ Past Simple: strove (or strived)
■ Past Participle: striven (or strived)
■ Present Participle/Gerund: striving


USAGE AND CONTEXT


'Strive' is used in formal or serious contexts to describe a determined effort towards a goal.


1. Making a Great Effort
This is the verb's sole meaning.


■ Goals: 'We must always strive to improve ourselves.'
■ Ambition: 'She strove for years to become a doctor.'
■ Ideals: 'They are striving for a more just and equitable society.'


ℹ IMPORTANT: FORMAL TONE AND FORMS


■ Formal vs. Informal: 'Strive' is a more formal and powerful word than 'try hard.' You might 'try hard' to finish your homework, but a nation might 'strive for peace.'


■ Past Forms: The traditional irregular forms strove and striven are still widely used and are often preferred in formal writing. The regular forms strived and strived are also considered correct and are becoming more common, especially in American English.