I try for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I try for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing an effort or attempt to achieve something. Example: "I try for a better understanding of the subject every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"I try for emotional penetration, not for complementing the action".

The Guardian

"I don't always get what I try for, you know".

The New Yorker

"Next year, I try for rookie of the year," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

My poor mamma, in despair, suggested that I try for the diplomatic.

The New Yorker

Fried is a poet who will "tense up" when she hears "an affirming poem," finding "Sourness a kind of joy I try for intricately".

The New York Times - Books

It proved to me that these abstract conditions I try for in my paintings do exist in real life — and I had painted them before I saw them.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

I tried for 10 years".

The New York Times - Arts

I tried for ages.

The Guardian - Film

I tried for clarity," he added.

The New York Times

I tried for Harvard, Yale, Princeton and Brown.

Independent

I tried for five years.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I try for" when you want to express a conscious and deliberate effort to achieve something. It's suitable for both personal and professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "I try for" when a more direct and active verb would be more impactful. Instead of saying "I try for clarity", consider "I clarify", which conveys more confidence and directness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I try for" serves as an expression of intent and effort. Grammatically, it combines a first-person pronoun with a verb and a preposition, indicating an attempt to achieve or obtain something. The provided examples in Ludwig, such as "I try for emotional penetration", show its usage in expressing desired outcomes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I try for" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate effort and aspiration. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent appearance in news and media. While versatile, it's important to consider context and choose more direct alternatives for enhanced impact. Remember, the choice between "I try for" and similar phrases depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis. Other possible similar phrases: ""I aim for"", ""I strive for"", or ""I endeavor to"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I aim for

Replaces "try" with "aim", suggesting a directed effort towards a specific target.

I strive for

Substitutes "try" with "strive", indicating a more determined and persistent effort.

I endeavor to

Replaces "try for" with a more formal expression, "endeavor to", suggesting a serious attempt.

I seek to

Uses "seek" instead of "try", implying a quest or search for something.

I aspire to

Replaces "try" with "aspire", indicating a high ambition or goal.

I make an effort to

Expresses the attempt in a more descriptive way, highlighting the effort involved.

I work towards

Focuses on the process and continuous effort directed towards a specific outcome.

I am working toward

Similar to "I work towards" but emphasizes the ongoing nature of the effort.

I am attempting to

Uses "attempting" to specify the act of trying, often implying a challenge.

I am in pursuit of

Emphasizes the active chasing or seeking of a particular goal or objective.

FAQs

How can I use "I try for" in a sentence?

You can use "I try for" to express an effort or attempt. For example, "I try for emotional penetration" or "I try for a good story".

What are some alternatives to "I try for"?

Alternatives include "I aim for", "I strive for", or "I endeavor to", depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "I try for" formal or informal?

"I try for" is generally considered neutral in tone. More formal alternatives include ""I endeavor to"" or "I aspire to", while less formal options might be "I go for".

When should I use "I try for" versus "I try to"?

"I try for" is often used when the object is a noun (e.g., "I try for success"), while "I try to" is followed by a verb (e.g., "I try to succeed"). Both are correct, but they have slightly different grammatical structures.