/stɹaɪvz/
strives is pronounced /stɹaɪvz/. Strives is the third-person singular present tense of strive, meaning to make great efforts toward a goal or objective. In usage, it often appears in contexts where persistence, ambition, or sustained effort is emphasized. The term signals ongoing effort rather than a one-off attempt, and is common in formal writing as well as motivational speech. (2-4 sentences, 50-80 words).
Say it backStrives is the third-person singular present tense of strive, meaning to make great efforts toward a goal or objective. In usage, it often appears in contexts where persistence, ambition, or sustained effort is emphasized. The term signals ongoing effort rather than a one-off attempt, and is common in formal writing as well as motivational speech. (2-4 sentences, 50-80 words)
"She strives for excellence in every project she undertakes."
"The team strives to meet the tighter deadline without compromising quality."
"He strives to balance work and family, even when the schedule is demanding."
/straɪvz/ with stress on the single syllable; start with /s/ followed by the triplet /traɪ/ (a long I diphthong) and finish with a voiced /v/ plus /z/. Keep the /ɪ/ as a short vowel only within the /traɪ/ glide; the final /vz/ is a single voiced cluster, not a separate vowel. Mouth positions: lips neutral to light spread for /s/, top teeth lightly touching lower lip for /v/? (), tongue tip behind bottom front teeth for /r/? Note: In stri-ves, the /r/ is part of the /straɪ/ sequence; the tip of the tongue should be close to alveolar ridge but not heavily retroflexed. IPA: /straɪvz/.
Common errors: (1) Deleting the -s in the third-person form, producing /straɪv/ instead of /straɪvz/. (2) Slurring the final /vz/ into /v/ or /z/; try to release as a small fricative cluster: /v/ then /z/. (3) Misplacing the diphthong; some speakers may reduce /aɪ/ to a lax /ə/ sound. Correction: ensure the /aɪ/ diphthong remains full and the final /z/ is voiced and audible. Practice with minimal pairs like “strive” vs. “strives” to hear the final voiced sibilant clearly.
US/UK/AU share /straɪvz/ but articulation differs: US tends to have a slightly more rhotic or velarized /r/ with more air on the /r/ portion; UK generally features a crisper /t/ avoidance before /riv?/, but in this word it's mostly the same; AU follows similar to US but with more centralized vowel quality for some speakers and a slightly reduced /ɪ/ length. The /v/ and /z/ are consistently voiced; the main variation lies in the relaxation of the tongue and the duration of the /aɪ/ diphthong across dialects.
The difficulty lies in the transition from the diphthong /aɪ/ to the voiced fricatives /v/ and /z/ without an intrusive vowel or glottal stop. Some speakers blur the final /vz/ into a single /z/ or /v/; others may devoice /z/ at the end. Another challenge is maintaining a clean /s/ onset before /t/. Focusing on a crisp /s/ followed by /t/ and then a clear /r/ and /aɪ/ glide helps ensure accurate pronunciation.
The key feature is the cluster /vz/ at the end, a voiced bilabial /v/ followed by a voiced alveolar /z/. It requires keeping both sounds audible in a rapid release without vowel intrusion. Practitioners should practice releasing the /v/ into /z/ with a gentle teeth-on-lip contact and a slight voicing without stalling. This is a typical pitfall for learners who smooth over the final consonants.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "strives"!
Strives derives from the verb strive, which traces to Old English styran, meaning to stretch, strain, or strive for. The sense evolved through Middle English, with strive appearing in the 13th century to denote exertion or struggle toward a goal. The modern form, with the -s third-person singular suffix, aligns with English verb conjugation as subjects require an -s ending in the present simple. Throughout history, the word has retained its core sense of marked, purposeful effort, though it has been used in contexts ranging from religious devotion to secular ambition. Early usage often connected to moral or heroic exertion, while contemporary usage emphasizes persistent goal-directed activity across professional, academic, and personal domains. First known use in print attests to its recognized sense of ongoing striving, a concept foundational to narratives of progress and achievement.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "strives" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "strives" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "strives" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "strives"
-ves sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
