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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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didn't try

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

So he didn't try.

News & Media

The New York Times

Jim: We didn't try.

News & Media

The New York Times

Wisely, they didn't try.

I didn't try it.

News & Media

The New York Times

I didn't try.

News & Media

The New Yorker

She didn't try to.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Supervisor Bellone didn't try.

News & Media

The New York Times

Others simply didn't try.

But they didn't try.

News & Media

The Guardian

"I didn't try to panic.

He didn't try to merge.

News & Media

The New Yorker
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "didn't try" to clearly and directly state the absence of an attempt or effort. Ensure the context makes it clear why the attempt was not made.

Common error

Be careful not to use "didn't try" when you mean someone attempted something but was unsuccessful. "Didn't try" indicates a complete lack of effort, while "tried and failed" acknowledges an attempt that did not succeed.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

92%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "didn't try" functions as a negative declarative statement, indicating the absence of effort or attempt. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts to simply state that someone or something did not make an attempt. Ludwig AI confirms its standard grammatical structure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "didn't try" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the absence of an attempt or effort. Ludwig's analysis reveals that it's most frequently used in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various communication styles. Ludwig AI confirms its standard grammatical structure. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by indicating why the attempt was not made and avoid confusing it with situations where an attempt was made but failed. Related phrases such as "did not attempt" or "made no effort" can provide alternative ways to express the same idea, depending on the desired level of formality.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "didn't try" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "did not attempt" or "made no effort". These options are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

What's a more casual way to say "didn't try"?

Informally, you could say "didn't bother" or "couldn't be bothered". However, these expressions may not be appropriate for all situations.

Is "didn't try to" grammatically correct?

Yes, "didn't try to" is grammatically correct. It is a common construction used to express a lack of effort towards a specific goal, as in "He "didn't try" to apologize".

What is the difference between "didn't try" and "couldn't try"?

"Didn't try" implies a choice or lack of motivation, while "couldn't try" suggests an inability or lack of opportunity. For example, "I "didn't try" because I was lazy" versus "I couldn't try because I was injured".

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Source & Trust

92%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: