Strive vs. Strove – Which is Correct?

Strive is the present tense form of the verb, meaning to make great efforts or to try very hard. Strove is the simple past tense of “strive,” indicating that great efforts were made in the past. Both words are grammatically correct, but they are used in different tenses to convey when the action occurred.

Strive or Strove – Which is Correct?

Both “strive” and “strove” are correct forms of the same verb; the distinction lies in their tense. “Strive” is the infinitive and present tense form, used when describing an ongoing or future effort. “Strove” is the simple past tense, used to describe an effort that was completed in the past. Understanding this difference is crucial for accurate communication, as using the wrong tense can lead to confusion about the timing of an action. Think of it like “drive” and “drove” – the base verb and its past tense.

This comparison is similar to understanding the nuances between driven and drove, both past forms of ‘drive’.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Strive	Verb	To make great efforts to achieve or obtain something; to struggle or contend.	“She will strive for excellence in all her academic pursuits.”
Strove	Verb	The simple past tense of ‘strive’; indicating that great efforts were made previously.	“He strove tirelessly to complete the challenging project on time.”

How to Use Strive

“Strive” is used to express making earnest efforts or trying hard to achieve a goal, overcome an obstacle, or maintain a certain standard. It often implies a continuous or future-oriented effort and carries a more formal or determined tone than simply “try.” It can be followed by an infinitive (to + verb) or a prepositional phrase (for/after/against + noun).

Example 1: Organizations must strive continually to adapt to new market conditions.

Example 2: I always strive to improve my public speaking skills through consistent practice.

Example 3: We should strive for peace and understanding among all nations, despite our differences.

What are the different forms of Strive?

“Strive” is an irregular verb. Its principal parts are:

• Base Form (Infinitive): strive (e.g., to strive, I strive)
• Third Person Singular Present: strives (e.g., he strives)
• Present Participle: striving (e.g., is striving, by striving)
• Simple Past Tense: strove (e.g., I strove)
• Past Participle: striven (e.g., has striven, had striven)

Etymology of the word Strive

The word “strive” entered English from Old French `estriver` (to dispute, quarrel, struggle), which itself likely originated from a Germanic source, possibly related to Old High German `striban` (to struggle, contend). It has been used in English since the 13th century, retaining its core meaning of making great efforts or contending.

How to Use Strove

“Strove” is the simple past tense of “strive.” It is used to describe an effort or struggle that was completed in the past. When you want to convey that someone made significant efforts at a particular point in time or over a past period, “strove” is the appropriate word. It reflects a past determination or exertion.

Example 1: The team strove tirelessly to meet the project deadline, working late into the night.

Example 2: Despite the numerous challenges, she strove to maintain a positive attitude throughout the ordeal.

Example 3: Throughout his long and distinguished career, he strove to uphold the highest ethical standards.

What are the different forms of Strove?

“Strove” is exclusively the simple past tense form of the verb “strive.” It does not have further conjugations as “strove” itself. The other past form is the past participle “striven,” used in perfect tenses (e.g., “has striven,” “had striven”).

Etymology of the word Strove

“Strove” is the historically developed simple past tense form of “strive.” Its formation as an irregular past tense is characteristic of many older Germanic verbs in English. It has been a recognized past tense form for centuries, reflecting the historical evolution of the verb “strive.”

Related Concepts

Understanding the difference between “strive” and “strove” hinges on a fundamental grammar concept: verb tenses, particularly those of irregular verbs. Regular verbs form their past tense and past participle by adding “-ed” (e.g., walk, walked, walked). However, irregular verbs, like “strive,” change their internal vowel or use entirely different forms for their past tense and past participle (e.g., drive, drove, driven; write, wrote, written; strive, strove, striven). Recognizing these irregular patterns is key to correctly using verbs like “strive” and “strove” in their appropriate temporal contexts.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “He strove to be a man of honour, even when it was difficult.” (From a historical novel)
• “Nations continue to strive for economic stability and global cooperation.” (News analysis)
• “The young artist strove for perfection in every brushstroke, pouring his soul into the canvas.” (Art biography)
• “We must always strive to understand different perspectives, fostering empathy and dialogue.” (Philosophical essay)
• “She had always striven against injustice, a true advocate for the marginalized.” (Character description in a play)

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. Yesterday, the athlete ____ to break the world record, but fell short.
2. As a society, we must always ____ for justice and equality.
3. For years, they ____ against the oppressive regime, eventually achieving freedom.
4. My personal goal is to ____ for continuous personal growth every day.
5. The pioneers ____ to build a new life in the wilderness, facing immense hardships.

Answer Key

1. strove
2. strive
3. strove
4. strive
5. strove

Strive Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Endeavor	To try hard to do or achieve something.
Aspire	Direct one’s hopes or ambitions toward achieving something.
Toil	Work extremely hard or incessantly.
Labor	Work hard; make great effort.
Struggle	Make forceful or violent efforts to get free of restraint or constriction; also, to make strenuous efforts to achieve or retain something.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “striven” a correct word?
Yes, “striven” is the past participle of “strive.” It is used in perfect tenses with auxiliary verbs like “have” or “had” (e.g., “They have striven for years to reach this goal” or “He had striven against adversity his whole life”).

Question 2: Can “strive” be used in a casual context?
While “strive” often carries a more formal or serious tone, implying significant effort and determination, it can be used in casual contexts to emphasize a strong attempt. However, simpler phrases like “try hard” or “work towards” are more common in everyday speech.

Question 3: What’s the difference between “strive” and “struggle”?
“Strive” generally implies making a determined and often positive effort towards a goal, often with a sense of ambition or aspiration. “Struggle,” while also involving effort, often emphasizes facing difficulties, resistance, or opposition, suggesting a harder, more challenging, or even painful process.

Conclusion

In summary, both “strive” and “strove” are correct forms of the verb “to make great efforts.” The key distinction is their tense: “strive” is the present tense (and infinitive), used for current or future efforts, while “strove” is the simple past tense, used for efforts completed in the past. Understanding and correctly applying these tenses ensures clarity and precision in your writing and speech.

Pro Tip: Using the correct verb tense, especially with irregular verbs like “strive,” demonstrates a strong command of the English language, enhancing your professional reputation and credibility in any communication.