Strived or Strove: Which Is Correct?

Both “strived” and “strove” are correct past forms of strive, but “strove” is the traditional choice. Strive means to make a strong effort to achieve something. Strived is also accepted in modern English, while striven is the traditional past participle. Once you know which form the sentence needs, the choice becomes much easier.

Quick Answer

Use strove as the traditional simple past:

She strove to improve her writing.

Strived is also an accepted past form:

The team strived to reach its goal.

For the traditional past participle, use striven:

They have striven to succeed.

The familiar pattern is strive → strove → striven, with strived as an accepted alternative.

Strived vs. Strove: Comparison Table

How to Use Each Form

Strove is the traditional form and can sound a little more formal:

She strove for excellence.

Strived can be used in the same past-tense role and may sound more natural in some modern sentences:

The organization strived to improve its service.

With has, have, or had, use striven in the traditional pattern:

The organization has striven to improve.

Common Mistakes

❌ She striven to succeed.
✅ She strove to succeed.
✅ She strived to succeed.

❌ He has strove to improve.
✅ He has striven to improve.

One important point: strived is not simply a mistake. It is a recognized form of strive.

Pronunciation

Strove rhymes with rove. Strived ends with the d sound in lived. Striven has a different ending.

Six Examples

1. She strove to improve her English.
2. The company strived to meet its customers’ needs.
3. He strove for a better result.
4. They strived to make the process easier.
5. The students strove to reach their goals.
6. The organization has striven to support local communities.

Easy Memory Trick

Think of:

drive → drove → driven

Then remember:

strive → strove → striven

Just keep strived in mind as an accepted alternative.

Mini Quiz

1. Which is the traditional simple past form of “strive”?
A. Strive
B. Strove
C. Striven
D. Striving

2. Complete the sentence: “They have □ to improve the system.”
A. strove
B. strived
C. striven
D. strive

3. Is “strived” an accepted form of “strive”?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Only as a noun
D. Only in the future tense

4. Which sentence is correct?
A. He strove to help others.
B. He has strove to help others.

5. Which is the traditional past participle of “strive”?
A. Strive
B. Strove
C. Striven
D. Striving

Answers: 1-B, 2-C, 3-A, 4-A, 5-C

FAQs

Is “strived” or “strove” correct?

Both are correct past forms of strive. Strove is the traditional form, while strived is also accepted.

Is “strived” grammatically correct?

Yes. Strived is an accepted form of strive.

Is “strove” more formal than “strived”?

It can sound more formal or literary, while strived may feel more straightforward in modern writing.

What is the past participle of “strive”?

Striven is the traditional past participle. Strived can also occur as a past participle.

Conclusion

Strived and strove are both correct past forms of strive. Strove is the traditional choice, while strived is an accepted alternative. For the traditional past participle, use striven after has, have, or had. The easiest pattern to remember is strive → strove → striven.

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Bryan Garne

Bryan Garner an experienced English language writer specializing in grammar, usage, word choice, and clear American English. He focuses on making complex language rules simple, accurate, and practical.