I tried having

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I tried having" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an attempt to experience or engage in something, often followed by a noun or gerund. Example: "I tried having a conversation with her, but she seemed uninterested."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

I tried having a phone conversation, and babies were screaming.

The New York Times - Arts

I tried having someone else pull the cement mixer.

The New Yorker

"I tried having someone else in my life.

The Guardian - Books

Next, I tried having her moved to my place in London.

The Guardian - Opinion

When I tried having the sex talk with Ben when he was in the eighth grade, he was so flustered, I realized it was too early.

The New York Times

That's pretty much my group, and that's O.K. It's sad sometimes, but I tried having friends, and it just doesn't work.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But everything I tried hadn't worked.

The Guardian - Books

Everything I tried had only short term and limited results.

Independent

The model I tried had the four-speed automatic.

The New York Times

The vehicle I tried had easy-to-use knobs for climate control.

The New York Times

None of the tricks I tried had worked.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I tried having", ensure the context clearly indicates what you were attempting to experience or engage in. For example, "I tried having a serious conversation, but it was impossible."

Common error

Avoid using "I tried having" when you mean "I tried to have". The gerund form implies you were testing the experience itself, not simply attempting the action. For example, use "I tried to have a party" if the aim was to organize a party, but use "I tried having a party" if you are speaking of testing the experience of participating in a party (if the context makes sense).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I tried having" functions as an introductory clause setting up a description of an attempt or experience. Ludwig AI showcases examples where it's used to introduce various scenarios, from trying to have conversations to trying to have friends.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I tried having" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe an attempt to engage in or experience something. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples across different contexts, primarily in News & Media. The phrase maintains a neutral to informal register and is best used when detailing past attempts, followed by an explanation of the outcome. Remember to consider the subtle difference in meaning compared to "I tried to have", with the former focusing more on the experience itself. You can use alternatives such as "I attempted to have" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I attempted to have

Replaces the more casual "tried" with the more formal "attempted".

I made an effort to have

Emphasizes the effort involved in the attempt.

I gave having a try

Uses a more idiomatic expression to convey the idea of trying something.

I experimented with having

Suggests a more exploratory or experimental approach.

I ventured into having

Implies a willingness to take a risk or try something new.

I sought to have

Expresses a more intentional and deliberate attempt.

I endeavored to have

Similar to "attempted", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on effort.

I had a go at having

Uses a more informal, colloquial expression.

I took a shot at having

Similar to "had a go", but with a slightly more assertive tone.

I played around with having

Suggests a less serious, more playful attempt.

FAQs

How can I use "I tried having" in a sentence?

Use "I tried having" when you want to express that you attempted to experience something or engage in an activity. For instance, "I tried having a phone conversation, but the noise was unbearable."

What's a more formal alternative to "I tried having"?

For a more formal tone, you could use "I attempted to have" or "I endeavored to have", which convey a similar meaning with a higher degree of formality.

Is it correct to say "I tried to have" instead of "I tried having"?

Both "I tried to have" and "I tried having" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "I tried to have" suggests an attempt to perform an action, while "I tried having" suggests an attempt to experience something. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "I tried having" and "I attempted to have"?

"I tried having" is more informal and conversational, while "I attempted to have" is more formal and implies a more deliberate or serious effort.