ImaStrived or Strove can make even a simple sentence feel confusing. I know how frustrating it can be when two forms seem correct, especially when you want your writing to sound natural and accurate.
You may have seen both words in books, articles, and everyday conversations. If you are wondering which one to use, I’ll break down the difference in a simple way so you can make the right choice with confidence.
By the end, you’ll understand how strived or strove work, when each form is appropriate, and which option sounds more natural in modern American English. You can then use the right word without second-guessing yourself.
Quick Answer
Both strived or strove are correct past tense forms of the verb strive. However, strove is traditionally the preferred and more widely accepted simple past tense form. Strived is also recognized by major dictionaries and is increasingly common in modern English, especially in business and informal writing. For formal and academic contexts, strove is generally the safer choice.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Strived | Strove |
| Meaning | Made a great effort | Made a great effort |
| Grammar Role | Past tense of strive | Past tense of strive |
| Formality | Neutral to modern | Traditional and formal |
| Dictionary Acceptance | Yes | Yes |
| Frequency | Less common | More common |
| Academic Writing | Accepted but less preferred | Preferred |
| Professional Writing | Common | Common |
| Journalism | Occasionally used | Preferred |
| British English | Accepted | Preferred |
| American English | Accepted | Preferred |
Strived Or Strove Or Striven: What’s The Difference?
Strived, strove, or striven are all forms of the verb strive, which means to make a strong effort to achieve something. The main difference is how each form works in a sentence. Strive is the present form, strove is the traditional simple past form, and striven is the past participle.
For example, you can say, “I strive to improve,” “She strove to succeed,” or “They have striven to overcome the challenge.” Strived is also a correct past-tense and past-participle form, and it is common in modern English, especially in American English.
In simple terms:
- Strive = present tense
- Strove = simple past
- Striven = past participle, normally used with have, has, or had
- Strived = accepted past and past-participle form
The choice between strove or strived can depend on style, dialect, and the grammatical structure of the sentence.
Strived Or Strove Grammar: When Should You Use Each Form?
Both strived or strove can be used as past forms of strive, but they are not always interchangeable in exactly the same grammatical construction.
Use strove when talking about a completed effort in the past:
She strove to become a better leader.
Use strived in similar past-tense situations:
She strived to become a better leader.
However, striven is generally used after an auxiliary verb such as has, have, or had:
He has striven to improve the company.
They had striven for many years to achieve their goal.
In everyday modern English, strived is widely understood and accepted. Strove can sound more formal or traditional, while striven remains common in perfect-tense constructions.
When To Use Strived Or Strove
Choose strove when you want the traditional simple-past form of strive. It often appears in formal writing, literature, biographies, and historical descriptions.
The team strove to solve the problem.
Choose strived when you prefer the regular -ed form. It is especially common in modern usage and is perfectly acceptable in many contexts.
The team strived to solve the problem.
Both sentences describe a past effort. The difference is mainly one of usage and style rather than meaning. If you are writing for a modern general audience, strived will usually be easy for readers to understand. If you want a more traditional or literary tone, strove may fit better.
Have Strived Or Have Striven: Which Is Correct?
Both have strived or have striven can be correct because strive has two accepted past-participle forms: strived or striven.
For example:
We have strived to provide better service.
We have striven to provide better service.
Both sentences use the present perfect tense correctly. Striven is the traditional irregular form, while strived follows the regular -ed pattern.
You should not use strove after have in standard modern grammar. For example, “We have strove to help” is generally considered incorrect. The correct choices are “We have strived to help” or “We have striven to help.”
I Have Strived Or I Have Striven: Which Should You Use?
Both I have strived and I have striven are grammatically acceptable.
I have strived to improve my skills.
I have striven to improve my skills.
The difference is largely stylistic. I have striven has a more traditional and sometimes formal tone, whereas I have strived sounds more regular and contemporary.
If you are writing a formal statement, academic passage, or professional document, either form can work. The most important point is to use the correct perfect-tense structure: I have + past participle.
Avoid:
I have strove to improve.
Use:
I have strived to improve.
or:
I have striven to improve.
Strived Or Strove Examples
Here are some examples showing how the two simple-past forms can be used:
- She strived to make the project successful.
- She strove to make the project successful.
- The students strived to reach their goals.
- The students strove to reach their goals.
- He strived to maintain a healthy balance.
- He strove to maintain a healthy balance.
- The organization strived to improve its services.
- The organization strove to improve its services.
In each example, the meaning is essentially the same: someone made a serious or determined effort. The choice between strived or strove depends mainly on preferred usage and writing style.
Strove In A Sentence
Strove is the simple past form of strive. It describes an effort that took place in the past.
Examples include:
She strove to overcome every obstacle.
The young athlete strove to improve her performance.
They strove for peace during difficult times.
He strove to earn the trust of his colleagues.
The company strove to meet its customers’ needs.
In these sentences, strove refers to a completed or past effort. It is particularly useful when you want a formal, traditional, or literary style.
Is Strived A Word?
Yes, strived is a word and a recognized form of the verb strive. It can function as the simple past form and as a past participle.
For example:
She strived to achieve her goal.
They have strived to improve the system.
Some people are more familiar with strove or striven, so they may assume that strived is incorrect. However, modern English dictionaries recognize strived as a legitimate form.
The three forms can therefore appear as strive → strove/strived → striven/strived, depending on the grammatical construction and style.
Is Strive A Verb?
Yes, strive is a verb. It means to make a strong or determined effort to achieve something.
For example:
I strive to learn something new every day.
She strives for excellence in her work.
The verb can be followed by to + verb, as in “strive to improve,” or by for + noun, as in “strive for success.”
Common forms of strive include:
- Present: strive / strives
- Past: strove / strived
- Past participle: striven / strived
- Present participle: striving
The word usually conveys purposeful effort, ambition, or determination.
Strive With Someone Meaning
The expression strive with someone can mean to struggle, work, or make a determined effort alongside or against another person, depending on the context.
For example:
The two partners strove with each other to find a solution.
In this sentence, the phrase suggests that the people were involved in a difficult effort or struggle. However, strive with is less common in everyday modern English than constructions such as strive with a problem, strive to achieve something, or strive alongside someone.
If your intended meaning is cooperation, clearer wording is often better:
We strive together to achieve our goals.
If the meaning is conflict or struggle, the surrounding context should make that relationship clear.
Strove Synonym
Several words can replace strove, depending on the exact meaning of the sentence. Common synonyms include tried, attempted, worked, struggled, endeavored, aimed, sought, pursued, and worked hard.
For example:
She strove to succeed.
can become:
She worked hard to succeed.
or:
She endeavored to succeed.
or:
She tried to succeed.
The best synonym depends on the context. Endeavored often has a formal tone, while tried is simpler and more conversational. Struggled emphasizes difficulty, whereas pursued focuses more on actively seeking a goal.
How Are These Words Pronounced?
Strived
IPA: /straɪvd/
Syllables: strived
Pronunciation:
STRYVD
Strove
IPA: /stroʊv/
Syllables: strove
Pronunciation:
STROHV
Pronunciation Difference
The pronunciation difference reflects the different verb patterns:
- Strived follows the regular “-ed” pattern.
- Strove follows an irregular vowel-change pattern similar to drove, rode, and spoke.
Meaning and Usage
Meaning of Strive
The verb strive means:
- To make great efforts
- To work hard toward a goal
- To struggle or fight for something
Examples:
- We strive for excellence.
- She strives to improve every day.
- The company strives to satisfy customers.
Meaning of Strived
Strived is a past tense and past participle form of strive.
Examples:
- He strived to become a successful entrepreneur.
- They strived for excellence throughout the project.
- She has strived to improve her skills.
Meaning of Strove
Strove is the traditional simple past tense form of strive.
Examples:
- He strove to become a successful entrepreneur.
- They strove for excellence.
- She strove to overcome challenges.
Main Difference Between Strived Or Strove
Although both words express past effort, their usage differs slightly.
| Aspect | Strived | Strove |
| Type | Regular form | Irregular form |
| Traditional Status | Newer accepted form | Historical standard form |
| Formal Writing | Less preferred | Preferred |
| Academic Use | Less common | More common |
| Modern Business Writing | Common | Common |
| Literary Writing | Rare | Frequent |
| Style Guide Preference | Sometimes accepted | Usually preferred |
The key difference is not meaning but convention.
Grammar Rule Section
Verb Forms of Strive
| Verb Form | Word |
| Base Form | Strive |
| Present Participle | Striving |
| Past Tense | Strove or Strived |
| Past Participle | Striven or Strived |
Traditional Conjugation
| Tense | Form |
| Present | Strive |
| Past | Strove |
| Past Participle | Striven |
Examples:
- I strive for success.
- Yesterday I strove for success.
- I have striven for success.
Modern Accepted Conjugation
| Tense | Form |
| Present | Strive |
| Past | Strived |
| Past Participle | Strived |
Examples:
- I strive for success.
- Yesterday I strived for success.
- I have strived for success.
Which Pattern Is More Traditional?
Traditional English grammar favors:
Strive → Strove → Striven
This mirrors:
- Drive → Drove → Driven
- Write → Wrote → Written
- Ride → Rode → Ridden
Origin and Etymology
Historical Origin
The word strive originates from:
Old French: estriver
Meaning:
- To quarrel
- To struggle
- To contend
It later entered Middle English and evolved into the modern meaning of making a determined effort.
Development Over Time
Originally, English treated strive as a strong irregular verb.
Thus:
- Strive
- Strove
- Striven
Over centuries, many irregular verbs developed regular alternatives.
This process produced:
- Dreamed alongside dreamt
- Learned alongside learnt
- Burned alongside burnt
- Strived alongside strove
Language Roots
Root language chain:
Latin → Old French → Middle English → Modern English
Dictionary Comparison
Oxford English Dictionary
Oxford recognizes:
- Strove
- Strived
But identifies strove as the traditional past tense.
Cambridge Dictionary
Cambridge lists:
- Strove as the past tense
- Striven as the past participle
Strived is acknowledged but less emphasized.
Merriam-Webster
Merriam-Webster accepts both:
- Strove
- Strived
It notes that both forms are standard.
Collins Dictionary
Collins recognizes both forms but generally presents strove first.
Dictionary Summary Table
| Dictionary | Strived | Strove |
| Oxford | Accepted | Preferred |
| Cambridge | Accepted | Preferred |
| Merriam-Webster | Accepted | Accepted |
| Collins | Accepted | Preferred |
Are Both Words Correct?
Yes.
Both strived or strove are grammatically correct.
However:
- Strove is historically standard.
- Strived is a modern accepted alternative.
- Many editors still prefer strove in formal contexts.
Therefore:
Correct: He strove to succeed.
Also Correct: He strived to succeed.
British vs American English
This difference is not primarily regional.
Both forms appear in:
- British English
- American English
- Canadian English
- Australian English
However, strove remains more common across all major English varieties.
Regional Comparison
| English Variety | Strived | Strove |
| American English | Accepted | Preferred |
| British English | Accepted | Preferred |
| Australian English | Accepted | Preferred |
| Canadian English | Accepted | Preferred |
Which Form Is More Common?
Large publishing databases consistently show that strove appears more frequently.
Books
Strove dominates literary works and academic publications.
Journalism
Most newspapers prefer strove.
Professional Writing
Both forms appear regularly.
Online Content
Strived has become increasingly popular in blogs, marketing content, and business communication.
Overall Winner
Strove remains the more common form in edited English.
When Should You Use Each Word?
Academic Writing
Use:
Strove
Example:
Researchers strove to maintain objectivity throughout the study.
Professional Writing
Either form works.
Example:
The organization strived to improve customer satisfaction.
Example:
The organization strove to improve customer satisfaction.
Casual Writing
Both are acceptable.
Example:
I strived to stay focused.
Journalism
Most editors favor:
Strove
Example:
The athlete strove to break the record.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Thinking Strived Is Wrong
Incorrect belief:
“Strived is not a real word.”
Correct:
Strived is recognized by major dictionaries.
Mistake 2: Mixing Past and Past Participle Forms
Incorrect:
I have strove for years.
Correct:
I have striven for years.
Or:
I have strived for years.
Mistake 3: Assuming One Form Is American and the Other British
Incorrect:
Strove is British and strived is American.
Correct:
Both are used in both varieties of English.
Real-Life Examples
Business Context
The company strived to meet customer expectations.
The company strove to maintain quality standards.
Academic Context
Researchers strove to minimize bias.
Sports Context
The team strove for victory until the final whistle.
Personal Development
She strived to become a better leader.
Journalism
The candidate strove to win voter support.
Synonyms for Strived
- Worked
- Labored
- Endeavored
- Pursued
- Sought
- Attempted
- Struggled
- Exerted
- Tried
- Dedicated oneself
Synonyms for Strove
Since the meaning is identical, the synonyms are the same:
- Worked
- Endeavored
- Pursued
- Attempted
- Labored
- Sought
- Tried
- Struggled
- Fought
- Exerted
Antonyms for Strived
- Neglected
- Ignored
- Avoided
- Abandoned
- Quit
- Surrendered
- Yielded
Antonyms for Strove
- Quit
- Relented
- Yielded
- Abandoned
- Surrendered
- Neglected
- Gave up
Memory Trick
Remember:
Strove follows the pattern of drove.
- Drive → Drove
- Strive → Strove
If you want the traditional form, choose strove.
If you’re comfortable using the regular “-ed” pattern, choose strived.
Similar Confusing Words
If you found this comparison useful, you may also like:
- Began or Begun
- Dreamed or Dreamt
- Learned or Learnt
- Burned or Burnt
- Sneaked or Snuck
- Dived or Dove
- Proven or Proved
Why Do People Search “Strived or Strove”?
Users commonly search this phrase because they:
- Want to know which form is correct
- Need help with grammar
- Are writing essays or reports
- Want a professional-sounding sentence
- Encounter conflicting advice online
Common search queries include:
- Is strived correct?
- Should I use strove or strived?
- What is the past tense of strive?
- Is strove old-fashioned?
- Can I say have strived?
- Is striven still used?
FAQs
1. Which word is correct, strived or strove?
Both are correct.
2. What is the standard past tense of strive?
Traditionally, it is strove.
3. Is strived a real word?
Yes, major dictionaries recognize it.
4. Which form is more formal?
Strove is generally considered more formal.
5. Which form is more common?
Strove remains more common in edited writing.
6. Can I use strived in professional writing?
Yes, it is widely accepted.
7. Is strove old-fashioned?
No. It remains standard modern English.
8. What is the past participle of strive?
Traditionally striven, though strived is also accepted.
9. Do British and American English prefer different forms?
No. Both generally prefer strove.
10. Which should students use?
Students should usually use strove in formal assignments.
11. Can I say “have strived”?
Yes. It is grammatically acceptable.
12. Can I say “have strove”?
No. Use have striven or have strived.
Expert Recommendation
Most editors, teachers, dictionaries, and style guides recommend:
Use Strove When:
- Writing academic papers
- Creating formal documents
- Publishing articles
- Following traditional grammar conventions
Use Strived When:
- Writing casually
- Communicating in business settings
- Preferring regular verb patterns
- Matching organizational style preferences
When in doubt, choose strove because it remains the most widely accepted standard form.
Final Verdict
The debate over strived or strove is unusual because both words are correct.
However, they are not equally preferred.
Key Takeaways
- Both strived or strove are correct.
- Both are past tense forms of strive.
- Strove is the traditional standard form.
- Strived is a recognized modern alternative.
- Academic and formal writing generally favor strove.
- Professional and casual writing may use either form.
- Neither word is a spelling mistake.
Practical Usage Advice
If you’re writing for a broad audience and want the safest choice, use strove.
If your organization or personal style prefers regular verb forms, strived is also acceptable.
In modern English, readers will understand both forms, but strove still carries greater authority and tradition.
I am Olivia Brown, a professional English editor and grammar writer who believes that great writing begins with a strong foundation in grammar. I have spent years creating educational resources that help students and professionals improve their writing, avoid common errors, and communicate more effectively. I strive to provide clear explanations and practical examples that make grammar easy to understand and apply.
Books: English Grammar Essentials and Modern Writing Success
James Walker
Daniel Carter