Cool MateStrive vs Try
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Strive
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Try
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Most common: Try
| Strive | Try | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/straɪv/","/straɪvz/","/strəʊv/","/straɪvd/","/ˈstrɪvn/","/ˈstraɪvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/straɪv/","/straɪvz/","/strəʊv/","/straɪvd/","/ˈstrɪvn/","/ˈstraɪvɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/traɪ/","/traɪz/","/traɪd/","/ˈtraɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/traɪ/","/traɪz/","/traɪd/","/ˈtraɪɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To work hard to achieve something. | to make an effort to do something |
| Example | We encourage all members to strive for the highest standards. | I will try my best to finish the project on time. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | hard, mightily, desperately, after, against, for | desperately, frantically, furiously, decide to, dare (somebody) to, bother to, be just trying to do something, be only trying to do something, give up trying, desperately, frantically, furiously, decide to, dare (somebody) to, bother to, be just trying to do something, be only trying to do something, give up trying |
| Antonyms | relax, surrender, give up | give up, quit, avoid |
| Common mistakes | 'Strive' is often confused with 'strive for'; remember it needs 'to' before a verb., Some learners use 'strived' as the past tense, but it's 'strove' or 'strived' depending on context., Mixing up 'strive' with 'thrive' due to similar sounds. | Using 'try' with a noun instead of a verb (e.g., 'try a bike' instead of 'try riding a bike'), Confusing 'try' with 'test' — 'try' suggests effort, while 'test' implies evaluation, Using 'try' without context, making the intention unclear |
| Usage notes | Use 'strive' in contexts where you want to emphasize effort towards a goal. It's appropriate in both formal and informal situations but may sound overly dramatic for casual conversations. | Use 'try' when suggesting attempts. It's suitable for informal and formal settings. Avoid using it with absolute outcomes, as it conveys effort rather than guarantee. |
Frequently asked questions: Strive vs Try
What's the difference between Strive and Try?
Strive: To work hard to achieve something. Try: to make an effort to do something
Which is more common: Strive and Try?
Try is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Strive and Try?
Strive is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Strive and Try the same CEFR level?
Strive: C1, Try: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Strive and Try?
Strive: verb, Try: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Strive: We encourage all members to strive for the highest standards. Try: I will try my best to finish the project on time.
Can I use Strive and Try interchangeably?
Not always. Strive and Try are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.