Eager vs. Striving — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on December 27, 2023
Eager means showing keen interest or enthusiasm, while Striving involves making great efforts to achieve something.
Difference Between Eager and Striving
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Eager and Striving, while related in the context of enthusiasm or effort, primarily differ in their nature and application. Eager is an adjective that describes a feeling or state of mind, indicating enthusiasm or anticipation. Striving, on the other hand, is a verb indicating action or endeavor.
Someone who is Eager often displays excitement or readiness for something. This eagerness can be passive, simply being a state of mind. Striving, however, denotes action and implies that someone is actively working towards a goal or objective, often overcoming challenges.
It's entirely possible to be Eager without Striving. For example, one might be Eager to watch a new movie but doesn't necessarily have to strive to do so. Conversely, someone Striving to achieve top grades is actively working towards that goal but may or may not be Eager or enthusiastic about the process.
In essence, Eager often pertains to feelings, desires, or inclinations. It's about wanting or looking forward to something. Striving is about the journey or pursuit, often requiring effort, diligence, or determination. It revolves around the act of trying hard to achieve something.
Eager might be the spark or motivation behind an action, while Striving is the action itself. One might be Eager to learn a new language, ignited by this eagerness; they then begin Striving, putting in effort and time to master the language.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective
Verb
Relation to Action
Describes a feeling or state of mind
Indicates action or effort
Implies Effort
Not Necessarily
Yes
Can Exist Without the Other
Can be Eager without Striving
Can Strive without being Eager
Typical Usage
Describing enthusiasm or anticipation
Describing efforts to achieve or accomplish
Compare with Definitions
Eager
Marked by impatient longing.
Eager eyes scanned the horizon.
Striving
Making efforts towards a goal.
He was Striving for excellence in his work.
Eager
Having a sharp or keen edge.
Eager blades cut through the paper.
Striving
Endeavoring with great energy.
She was Striving to make a difference in the world.
Eager
Keenly interested or enthusiastic.
She was Eager to start her new book.
Striving
Working diligently towards a purpose.
The team was Striving to meet the project deadline.
Eager
Having or showing keen interest, intense desire, or impatient expectancy. See Usage Note at anxious.
Striving
Competing vigorously for something.
Companies are Striving for dominance in the market.
Eager
(Obsolete) Tart; sharp; cutting.
Striving
Battling or fighting against something.
Striving against the odds, he succeeded.
Eager
Variant of eagre.
Striving
To exert much effort or energy; endeavor.
Eager
See tidal bore.
Striving
To struggle or fight forcefully; contend
Strive against injustice.
Eager
Desirous; keen to do or obtain something.
Stacey is very eager to go cycling this weekend.
The hounds were eager in the chase.
I was eager to show my teacher how much I'd learned over the holidays.
You stayed up all night to get to the front of the queue. You must be very eager to get tickets.
Striving
Present participle of strive
Eager
(comptheory) Not employing lazy evaluation; calculating results immediately, rather than deferring calculation until they are required.
An eager algorithm
Striving
Effort; the act of one who strives.
Eager
(dated) Brittle; inflexible; not ductile.
Striving
An effortful attempt to attain a goal
Eager
Sharp; sour; acid.
Eager
Sharp; keen; bitter; severe.
Eager
Alternative form of eagre(tidal bore).
Eager
Sharp; sour; acid.
Eager
Sharp; keen; bitter; severe.
Eager
Excited by desire in the pursuit of any object; ardent to pursue, perform, or obtain; keenly desirous; hotly longing; earnest; zealous; impetuous; vehement; as, the hounds were eager in the chase.
And gazed for tidings in my eager eyes.
How eagerly ye follow my disgraces!
When to her eager lips is broughtHer infant's thrilling kiss.
A crowd of eager and curious schoolboys.
Conceit and grief an eager combat fight.
Eager
Brittle; inflexible; not ductile.
Gold will be sometimes so eager, as artists call it, that it will as little endure the hammer as glass itself.
Eager
Same as Eagre.
Eager
A high wave (often dangerous) caused by tidal flow (as by colliding tidal currents or in a narrow estuary)
Eager
Having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy;
Eager to learn
Eager to travel abroad
Eager for success
Eager helpers
An eager look
Eager
Marked by active interest and enthusiasm;
An avid sports fan
A great walker
An eager beaver
Eager
Characterized by a brisk energetic style.
He took an Eager step forward.
Eager
Ardent in desire or affection.
He was Eager to impress his date.
Common Curiosities
Can someone be Eager to Strive?
Absolutely! Someone can be enthusiastic (Eager) about making an effort (Striving).
Can someone be Eager but not take any action?
Yes, one can feel Eager or enthusiastic without necessarily Striving or acting on it.
Can you Strive without being Eager?
Yes, you can work towards something (Strive) without feeling enthusiastic (Eager) about it.
Does Striving always lead to success?
Not always. Striving denotes effort, not necessarily the outcome.
Is Striving always strenuous?
Not necessarily, but it does indicate effort or endeavor.
Is Eager always a positive term?
Typically, yes. Eager often denotes enthusiasm or positive anticipation.
Is Striving always about achieving big goals?
No, Striving can relate to any effort, big or small.
Does Eager imply action?
No, Eager primarily indicates a feeling or state of mind.
Can an object be Eager?
Not literally. But it can be described as such in poetic or figurative language.
Are there synonyms for Eager?
Yes, words like "enthusiastic," "keen," and "anxious" can be synonyms.
How can one express that they're both Eager and Striving?
"I'm Eager to learn and am Striving to master the subject."
Can being Eager lead to Striving?
Often, yes. Enthusiasm or eagerness can motivate one to Strive.
Can you be Eager about past events?
Not typically. Eager usually pertains to future events or something one desires.
Can a group be Striving for something?
Yes, groups or organizations can Strive towards shared goals.
Can Striving be passive?
No, Striving is an active verb indicating effort.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
