better to try

USAGE SUMMARY

"better to try" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to suggest that making an effort is a desirable or preferable option, especially in comparison to not making an effort. For example, "It's better to try to solve the problem than to just give up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Well, it's better to try than not".

The New York Times - Arts

I think it's better to try.

The Guardian - Tech

All the better to try and eat the little blighters.

The Guardian

"Is it better to try to do something politically important like arrest Navalny?

The New York Times

It is always better to try to work out things behind closed doors.

The New York Times

But rather than gripe, Peruvians would do better to try to emulate Chile's success.

The Economist

"Looking back, it would have been better to try to do things one by one".

The New York Times

"It's better to try to find a balance". Food cravings have long intrigued scientists.

The Washington Post

For most common problems it is better to try non-medical remedies first.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"My view is that it's always better to try and change organisations from within," he counters.

The Guardian - Sport

Better to try something crazy and impossible like trying to go to Mars or something.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "better to try" when encouraging action, even if the outcome is uncertain. It emphasizes the value of effort and experience over potential failure.

Common error

While versatile, "better to try" can sound too informal for academic papers or business reports. Opt for phrases like "it is preferable to attempt" or "it is advisable to undertake" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better to try" functions as an elliptical construction expressing a preference for action over inaction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests that making an effort is desirable, even if success is not guaranteed. This phrase often serves as a motivational statement or a piece of advice, encouraging someone to take a chance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "better to try" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that advocates for taking action, even when the outcome is uncertain. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves as a motivational push, emphasizing the inherent value in the effort itself. While versatile, its generally neutral to informal register should be considered when using it in formal contexts. Examples from sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, as well as analysis of usage patterns and the available alternatives, provide a complete understanding of this common and useful phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's preferable to attempt

Replaces "better" with "preferable" for a slightly more formal tone and replaces "try" with "attempt", emphasizing the action of making an effort.

it's wiser to make an effort

Substitutes "better" with "wiser" and "try" with "make an effort" highlighting the prudence of taking action.

it's more advisable to give it a shot

Replaces "better" with "more advisable" and "try" with "give it a shot" resulting in a more colloquial expression.

it's advantageous to undertake

Uses "advantageous" instead of "better" and "undertake" instead of "try" for a more formal and strategic tone.

it's more worthwhile to venture

Replaces "better" with "more worthwhile" suggesting the effort has potential value and replaces "try" with "venture", implying a riskier undertaking.

it's more productive to act

Focuses on the productivity aspect of making an effort, replacing "better" with "more productive" and "try" with "act".

it's more valuable to take action

Highlights the value of acting, replacing "better" with "more valuable" and "try" with "take action".

it's more sensible to have a go

Replaces "better" with "more sensible" emphasizing the rationality of acting and replaces "try" with "have a go" for a British English colloquialism.

it's a good idea to attempt it

A more straightforward way of saying the same thing, replacing "better" with "good idea" and rephrasing "try".

it's a smarter move to proceed

Suggests a strategic advantage to acting, using "smarter move" instead of "better" and "proceed" instead of "try".

FAQs

How can I use "better to try" in a sentence?

You can use "better to try" to express that attempting something is more beneficial than not attempting it at all. For example, "Even though the task seems daunting, it's "better to try" than to give up without making an effort."

What is an alternative to saying "better to try"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it's preferable to attempt", "it's wiser to make an effort", or "it's more advisable to give it a shot", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "better to try"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase functions as an elliptical construction where the "it is" or "it's" is implied but not explicitly stated.

When is it most appropriate to use the phrase "better to try"?

It's appropriate when you want to convey a message that encourages someone to take action despite the possibility of failure, suggesting that the experience or potential success is worth the effort. It fits well in casual conversations or motivational speeches.