Have you ever written a sentence like “He strive hard yesterday” and wondered if it sounds correct?
Many English learners get confused when using the strive past tense because the verb “strive” does not follow the most common regular verb pattern.
Some students use “strived,” while others hear “strove” and feel unsure which one is right. This confusion is very common in exams, writing tasks, and daily conversation.
The verb “strive” means to try very hard or make a strong effort to achieve something. But when we talk about the past, things get tricky because English has both regular and irregular verb forms.
In this article, you will clearly understand the strive past tense, how it is formed, when to use it, and what mistakes to avoid. By the end, you will confidently use it in real life speaking and writing situations without hesitation.
Quick Answer (Featured Snippet)
The strive past tense is mainly “strove” (simple past) and “striven” (past participle). However, “strived” is also used in modern English, especially in American English.
| Base Form | Past Simple | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|
| strive | strove / strived | striven / strived |
What Is Strive Past Tense?
The strive past tense refers to the past form of the verb “strive,” which means to try very hard or make great effort.
In English grammar, “strive” is an action verb used to show effort, struggle, or determination. When we talk about this action in the past, we change its form.
There are two commonly accepted past forms:
- Strove (traditional irregular past form)
- Strived (modern regular form, increasingly accepted)
Examples:
- She strove to win the competition.
- He strived to improve his English.
Both are used, but “strove” is more traditional and often preferred in formal writing.
Structure of Sentences of Strive Past Tense
Understanding sentence structure helps you use the strive past tense correctly in speaking and writing.
Positive Sentences
Formula:
Subject + past form of strive + object
Examples:
- She strove to achieve her goal.
- They strived for success.
Negative Sentences
Formula:
Subject + did not + base form of strive
Examples:
- She did not strive enough for the exam.
- They did not strive for perfection.
Question Sentences
Formula:
Did + subject + base form of strive?
Examples:
- Did she strive hard for success?
- Did they strive to win the match?
Formation of Strive Past Tense
The strive past tense is formed in two main ways depending on the style of English:
- Irregular Form (Traditional)
- strive → strove → striven
This is an irregular verb pattern where the vowel changes completely.
- Regular Form (Modern Usage)
- strive → strived → strived
This follows the normal rule of adding “ ed.”
English learners should know both forms because both appear in reading, writing, and conversation.
How to Use Strive Past Tense
You use the strive past tense when you talk about effort made in the past.
1. Past Effort
- He strove to pass the exam.
2. Past Struggle
- She strived during difficult times.
3. Formal Writing
- The company strove to improve customer service.
4. Informal Speech
- I strived really hard yesterday.
Important tip: Use “strove” in formal essays and exams, and “strived” in casual or modern contexts.
Conjugation or Structure Table
| Tense Type | Form of Strive | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Base Form | strive | I strive daily. |
| Past Simple (irregular) | strove | He strove for success. |
| Past Simple (regular) | strived | She strived hard. |
| Past Participle | striven / strived | They have striven for goals. |
| Present Continuous | striving | She is striving now. |
Real Life Examples
Here are practical examples of the strive past tense:
- She strove to become a doctor.
- He strived to improve his grades.
- They strove for excellence in sports.
- I strived to finish the project on time.
- The students strove hard during exams.
- She did not strive enough last year.
- Did he strive for success in his career?
- We strove to overcome challenges.
- The team strived for victory.
- My brother strove to learn English quickly.
- They did not strive for improvement.
- Did she strive in the competition?
- The workers strove under pressure.
- He strived to reach his dream.
- We strove together as a team.
Common Mistakes
1. Using wrong past form
❌ She strive hard yesterday.
✔ She strove hard yesterday.
2. Mixing forms incorrectly
❌ He has strove for success.
✔ He has striven for success.
3. Forgetting helping verbs in questions
❌ Strived he for success?
✔ Did he strive for success?
4. Using “strived” in formal writing incorrectly
❌ The author strove (but using strived in formal essays is less preferred).
✔ The author strove for clarity.
Key Grammar Rules
- “Strive” is an irregular verb in traditional grammar.
- “Strove” is the simple past form.
- “Striven” is the past participle form.
- “Strived” is acceptable in modern English usage.
- Use “did + base form” in negative and question sentences.
- In formal writing, prefer “strove” over “strived.”
- “Strive” always shows effort or determination.
Comparisons with Similar Grammar Forms
Strive vs Try
- Strive means stronger effort.
- Try is more general.
Example:
- She strove to succeed. (strong effort)
- She tried to succeed. (basic effort)
Strive vs Struggle
- Strive = positive effort toward a goal
- Struggle = difficulty or hardship
Example:
- He strove for success.
- He struggled with success.
Strive vs Endeavor
- Both mean effort, but “endeavor” is more formal.
Example:
- She strove to improve.
- She endeavored to improve.
Exercises
Fill in the blanks
- She ______ to win the race.
- They ______ for success.
- He did not ______ enough.
- Did she ______ hard?
- We ______ to achieve our goals.
Answers:
- strove/strived
- strove/strived
- strive
- strive
- strove/strived
Sentence Correction
- He strive yesterday.
- She has strove hard.
- Did they strived?
- I strove to success.
- They did not strove.
Answers:
- He strove yesterday.
- She has striven hard.
- Did they strive?
- I strove for success.
- They did not strive.
Rewrite Tasks
- She tried very hard. (use strive past tense)
- They worked hard for success.
- He made effort to win.
- I attempted to pass.
- We worked for improvement.
Answers:
- She strove to succeed.
- They strove for success.
- He strove to win.
- I strove to pass.
- We strove for improvement.
MCQs
- Past tense of strive is:
A) strived only
B) strove / strived
C) striven only
D) strive
Answer: B - Past participle of strive:
A) strove
B) striven
C) strive
D) striving
Answer: B - Correct sentence:
A) He strive hard
B) He strove hard
C) He striving hard
D) He strives hard yesterday
Answer: B - “Did she ___ for success?”
A) strove
B) striving
C) strive
D) striveds
Answer: C - Which is formal?
A) strived
B) strove
C) striving
D) tryed
Answer: B - “They ___ for excellence.”
A) strove
B) strive
C) striving
D) stroved
Answer: A - Negative form:
A) did not strove
B) did not strive
C) not strove
D) no strive
Answer: B - Correct past participle use:
A) has strove
B) has striven
C) has strive
D) has striving
Answer: B - “Strive” means:
A) sleep
B) try hard
C) eat
D) run
Answer: B - Modern accepted past form:
A) strived
B) strove only
C) strive
D) striven only
Answer: A
FAQs
1. What is the past tense of strive?
The past tense is “strove” or “strived.”
2. Is “strove” correct?
Yes, “strove” is the traditional correct form.
3. Is “strived” wrong?
No, it is acceptable in modern English.
4. What is the past participle of strive?
It is “striven” or “strived.”
5. Which form should I use in exams?
Use “strove” for formal exams.
6. What does strive mean?
It means to try very hard.
7. Can I say “he strived hard”?
Yes, but “he strove hard” is more formal.
8. Is strive regular or irregular?
It is an irregular verb traditionally.
9. What is the simple past of strive?
Strove or strived.
10. Why are there two forms?
Because English has both traditional and modern usage styles.
Conclusion
Understanding the strive past tense helps you express effort and determination clearly in English. If you use “strove” or “strived,” both forms communicate strong action done in the past.
However, knowing when to use each form is important for writing correctly in exams, essays, and real life communication. “Strove” is more formal and traditional, while “strived” is common in modern English speech.
Learning this difference will improve your grammar accuracy and confidence.Keep practicing with real sentences, exercises, and daily writing.
The more you use the strive past tense, the more natural it will feel. Remember, English grammar is not about memorizing rules only it is about using them in real life. Stay consistent, and your fluency will improve step by step.
Hi, I’m Robert Lowth, a passionate expert in English tenses and grammar. I specialize in simplifying complex tense rules to help learners understand and use English with confidence. My goal is to make grammar clear, practical, and easy for everyday communication. tenseshub.com
