be neat to try

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be neat to try" is not standard in written English and may be considered informal or incomplete.
It can be used in casual conversation or informal writing when expressing curiosity or interest in trying something new. Example: "It would be neat to try that new restaurant downtown this weekend."

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"It would be neat to try with Lego".

The New York Times - Tech

I can't do something because it's cool or even because it would be neat to try something different.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Those seem to already exist, based on the Wired article, so it would be neat to get to try them.

University of California, Berkeley

It was neat to meet him".

The New York Times

It was neat to see the focus..

The Guardian - Sport

"It's neat to watch," she said.

Los Angeles Times

It's neat to look at vintage things on eBay.

Huffington Post

It would be neat if someone tried to reinvigorate the magazine by reformatting it, focusing on less dated content, sexier pictures of ladies, and maybe a different paper stock.

Vice

The calendar display is neat, and apparently tries to select text color that is appropriate against the image being shown.

TechCrunch

Try to be neat but leave any mess after the dinner to the next day.

WikiHow

It doesn't have to be perfect, but try to be neat!

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, consider using more common alternatives like "it would be cool to try" or "it would be interesting to attempt" instead of the less frequent "be neat to try".

Common error

While acceptable in casual settings, avoid using "be neat to try" in formal writing. Opt for more professional phrases to maintain a polished and credible tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be neat to try" functions as an adjective phrase, expressing an opinion or assessment about an action. It suggests that trying something would be agreeable or pleasing in some way. Ludwig identifies its usage as acceptable but advises caution in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be neat to try" expresses a sense of mild interest or enthusiasm for a potential action. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig identifies it as an infrequent and informal expression. More common and formal alternatives, such as "would be interesting to attempt" or "would be cool to try", are often preferred, especially in professional or academic writing. Use this phrase with caution, being mindful of your audience and the overall tone of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would be cool to try

Substitutes "neat" with "cool", creating a more casual tone.

would be interesting to attempt

Replaces "neat" with "interesting" and "try" with "attempt", making it sound more formal.

might be worthwhile to test

Replaces "neat" with "worthwhile" and "try" with "test", suggesting a more practical evaluation.

could be fun to experiment with

Emphasizes the enjoyment aspect of trying something new.

would be fascinating to investigate

Highlights the potential to spark interest.

would be appealing to explore

Focuses on the attractive nature of the experience rather than the act of trying.

it could be insightful to assess

Focuses on gaining understanding from the attempt.

it may be valuable to examine

Highlights the potential benefit of investigation.

might be productive to undertake

Suggests the task has an outcome, shifting the attention to productivity.

might prove useful to implement

Shifts the focus to the practical utility of trying something new.

FAQs

What does "be neat to try" mean?

The phrase "be neat to try" suggests that something would be interesting, enjoyable, or worthwhile to attempt. It expresses a sense of curiosity and potential value in trying something new.

What can I say instead of "be neat to try"?

You can use alternatives like "would be cool to try", "would be interesting to attempt", or "might be worthwhile to test" depending on the context.

Is "be neat to try" grammatically correct?

While grammatically sound, "be neat to try" is not a particularly common or standard expression. It's generally considered acceptable in informal conversation but may sound unusual in more formal contexts.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "be neat to try"?

The phrase "be neat to try" is most suitable for casual conversations and informal writing. In professional or academic settings, consider using more formal and widely accepted alternatives.