strove: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 (Upper-Intermediate to Advanced). It is less common than 'strived' in modern usage, particularly in everyday speech.Formal, literary, slightly archaic. More common in written English (history, literature, formal reports) than in casual conversation.
Quick answer
What does “strove” mean?
Past tense of 'strive': made a great and sustained effort to achieve something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Past tense of 'strive': made a great and sustained effort to achieve something; struggled or contended vigorously.
Can imply a prolonged, determined, and often arduous struggle against obstacles, or a dedicated pursuit of a difficult goal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both accept 'strove' and 'striven'. 'Strived' is more accepted and common in American English as a regular alternative. British English tends to retain the irregular forms 'strove/striven' more strongly in formal writing.
Connotations
In British English, 'strove' may sound more traditionally correct or literary. In American English, 'strived' is often perceived as more modern and less stiff.
Frequency
'Strove' is less frequent than 'strived' in contemporary corpora for American English. In British English, the frequency gap is smaller, especially in published texts.
Grammar
How to Use “strove” in a Sentence
strove to + INFINITIVE (e.g., strove to succeed)strove for + NOUN (e.g., strove for peace)strove against + NOUN (e.g., strove against the tide)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “strove” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She strove for years to perfect her technique.
- The team strove mightily against a superior opponent.
American English
- He strove to build a business from the ground up.
- Activists strove for civil rights throughout the decade.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in formal company histories: 'The founding partners strove to establish an ethical brand.'
Academic
Found in historical or literary analysis: 'The reformers strove to change the political system.'
Everyday
Very uncommon. Most speakers would use 'tried really hard', 'worked hard', or 'strived'.
Technical
Not typical in technical fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “strove”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “strove”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “strove”
- Using 'strove' as the past participle (e.g., 'I have strove' is incorrect; use 'I have striven' or 'I have strived').
- Confusing 'strove' (effort) with 'strove' as a misspelling of 'strove' (which isn't a word).
- Overusing 'strove' in informal speech where 'tried hard' is more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct for the past tense. 'Strove' is the traditional irregular form. 'Strived' is a regularised form that is fully accepted, especially in modern American English. The choice depends on formality and regional preference.
The traditional past participle is 'striven' (e.g., 'I have striven'). The regular form 'strived' is also widely used as a past participle (e.g., 'I have strived').
No, it is quite rare in everyday spoken English. Most native speakers would use 'tried really hard', 'worked hard', or 'strived' in conversation. 'Strove' is primarily found in writing and formal contexts.
Not typically. While 'strive' can mean 'struggle', it refers to exertion and effort, not physical combat. For fighting, use 'fought'. 'Strove' would be used in a metaphorical sense, e.g., 'strove against corruption'.
Past tense of 'strive': made a great and sustained effort to achieve something.
Strove is usually formal, literary, slightly archaic. more common in written english (history, literature, formal reports) than in casual conversation. in register.
Strove: in British English it is pronounced /strəʊv/, and in American English it is pronounced /stroʊv/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'I DROVE myself to succeed, so I STROVE to succeed.' Both are past tense, irregular verbs ending in -ove.
Conceptual Metaphor
EFFORT IS A PHYSICAL STRUGGLE/JOURNEY (e.g., strove against the odds, strove toward a goal).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'strove' correctly?