all but trying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all but trying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is almost trying or making an effort, but not quite fully committed to it. Example: "He was all but trying to convince her to stay, but his heart wasn't in it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Govier depicts him as a man of multiple fidelities, not really able to resolve them all but trying his best to come clean.

The New York Times - Books

(Apple Lossless is cool and all, but trying finding wink-wink albums encoded with it online).

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

You might be able to sign your name all right, but try writing a lowercase, cursive "K" or "Z" and you'll think it looks all wrong.

Huffington Post

They are all talented, but trying to know what they do well is a challenge".

The New York Times

Jackson all but tried to get the Mets back in the game.

The New York Times - Sports

However, one student review says: "She's fun and all but tries way too hard to be 'one of the guys'".

Independent

There's no need to put on a spazzy or fancy outfit that doesn't feel like you at all, but try to have decent clothes that look and feel comfortable.

WikiHow

Of course, not all change is positive, but trying to control or deny it is pointless.

Vice

Not all drug-taking is harmful, but trying to stop it has proved extremely so.

The Economist

Rachel is unhappy about having someone spy on her all the time, but tries to keep it light.

The Guardian - Film

These can all be inexpensive, but try to hit the mark.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all but trying" when you want to express that someone is very close to attempting something, but isn't fully committed or successful in their attempt. This can add nuance to your writing and highlight the delicate balance between intention and action.

Common error

Avoid using "all but trying" when you mean a genuine, full-fledged attempt. The phrase suggests a near attempt or an action that falls just short of being a complete effort. If the person is truly trying, use "trying" or "attempting" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all but trying" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the extent or degree to which someone is making an attempt. Ludwig examples show its usage in describing actions that almost reach the point of being a full attempt. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "all but trying" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that indicates a near attempt or incomplete effort. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Although relatively rare in usage, it effectively conveys the nuance of an action that almost reaches the point of being a full attempt. It's primarily found in News & Media and Wiki contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the intended meaning of near-action rather than a genuine attempt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost attempting

Indicates a near attempt or action, similar to "all but trying", but with a slightly more formal tone.

virtually striving

Emphasizes the effort made to achieve something, although not entirely successful.

practically endeavoring

Highlights the endeavor or effort being made, implying a high degree of probability.

nearly working towards

Focuses on the directional aspect of the effort, suggesting progress towards a goal.

essentially aiming for

Underscores the intention and goal, indicating that the action is primarily directed towards achieving a specific outcome.

tantamount to attempting

Implies that the effort is virtually the same as making a full attempt, with minimal differences.

akin to giving it a shot

Suggests a close resemblance to making an attempt, typically in a casual or informal setting.

close to undertaking

Conveys the idea of being very close to starting an undertaking or project.

approaching the act of trying

Emphasizes the nearness to the act of trying, suggesting that the action is just about to begin.

bordering on the attempt to

Indicates that the action is almost reaching the point of being an attempt, but not quite there yet.

FAQs

How can I use "all but trying" in a sentence?

You can use "all but trying" to indicate that someone is almost making an effort or attempting something, but not quite fully committed. For example, "He was "all but trying" to convince her to stay, but his heart wasn't in it."

What phrases are similar to "all but trying"?

Similar phrases include "almost attempting", "nearly trying", or "practically attempting". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of effort you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "all but tried" instead of "all but trying"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, they have slightly different meanings. "All but tried" suggests that everything except the actual attempt was done, whereas "all but trying" indicates a state of nearly attempting. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

What is the nuance of using "all but trying"?

The phrase "all but trying" carries a nuance of incomplete effort or a lack of full commitment. It suggests that the person is on the verge of attempting something but is held back by hesitation, lack of resources, or other factors. It's not the same as fully "trying" or "attempting".