a try was made

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a try was made" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an attempt was made to do something, often in a passive construction. Example: "Despite the challenges, a try was made to resolve the issue before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A try was made at smothering the flames with shirts.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

If a try is made, the team is awarded a free kick.

WikiHow

But a fourth try was made by Richards, and it went under Holtby's pad for the tying goal — his third of the series.

The New York Times - Sports

At this stage, an attempt is made to try to model this hypothesis.

Plosone

Give it a try! Be Selfish: Make sure you are looking out for your own best interests the night before and the day of the test.

Forbes

When a report was made, they tried to keep it as quiet as possible".

The New York Times

Once a prediction was made, she tried to judge it in comparison with the experimental answer.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

Even if the filibuster can't be broken, at least an honest try has been made to build our economy.

Huffington Post

I was trying to correct a claim she was making that was factually wrong.

The New York Times

If nothing is found, you may want to try a shampoo that is made with oatmeal.

WikiHow

Try a peel that is made with glycolic acid to help your skin if you have problems with wrinkles.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a try was made" to passively describe an attempt, particularly when the actor is unknown or unimportant.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "a try was made". Active voice often creates more direct and engaging writing. Instead of "a try was made", consider using "someone tried" if the actor is known.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a try was made" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an attempt or effort was undertaken. It emphasizes the action rather than the actor, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's often used when the person or entity making the attempt is unknown or unimportant.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a try was made" is a grammatically sound, though infrequent, phrase used to express that an attempt has been undertaken. As indicated by Ludwig, it appears most often in News & Media, Wiki, and Science. To enhance writing, consider using the active voice when appropriate. For alternatives, consider using "an attempt was made" or "an effort was made". Overall, the phrase is valid and clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an attempt was made

Replaces "try" with "attempt", emphasizing the act of trying.

an effort was made

Substitutes "try" with "effort", highlighting the exertion involved.

an attempt has been made

Shifts to present perfect tense, emphasizing the completed action of trying.

an endeavor was undertaken

Uses "endeavor" for a more formal and deliberate attempt.

efforts were exerted

Highlights the use of effort with a more active voice.

a bid was made

Implies a competitive attempt, such as in an auction or negotiation.

a shot was taken

Suggests an attempt in a more figurative or literal (e.g., sports) context.

a move was made

Emphasizes a strategic attempt or action taken.

action was initiated

Focuses on the commencement of action, as an attempt.

a stab was taken

Indicates an attempt with a sense of uncertainty or lack of skill.

FAQs

What does "a try was made" mean?

The phrase "a try was made" signifies that an attempt or effort was undertaken to achieve a specific goal or objective. It indicates that someone or a group of people endeavored to do something, whether successful or not.

How can I rephrase "a try was made"?

You can use alternatives such as "an attempt was made", "an effort was made", or "an endeavor was undertaken" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "a try was made"?

While "a try was made" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can often create a stronger and more direct sentence. For example, instead of "a try was made to fix the problem", you could say "they tried to fix the problem" if you know who made the attempt.

When is it appropriate to use "a try was made"?

It's appropriate to use "a try was made" when you want to emphasize the action of attempting something without necessarily focusing on who performed the action. It's also useful when the actor is unknown or irrelevant.