Obviously I know what my students mean when they use “strive” as a noun, in phrases like “the strive for success.”
I have noticed this more frequently in recent years.
I do not think they are mishearing “strife” (which has the same linguistic root, but has negative connotations of violence and opposition, whereas the verb “strive” connotes dedication and progress).
Is this a regionalism, like “that table needs washed,” or a rising alternative form, like “based off of” (to which I still object as an illogical and unnecessary distortion of “based on”)?
I have also seen “thrive” used the same way, though less frequently.
Similar:
Presenting at #NEMLA session 8.1 Friday. “Hacking English: Examining a multimedia sandbox ...
Battle of Agincourt -- 600 Year Anniversary of Henry V's "St. Crispin's Day Speech"
Time in AP Style: The exact time is rarely important.
Evita in Zelionople
What is Technical Writing?
College Instructors Don't Require Enough Writing