entitled to try

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "entitled to try" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's right or permission to attempt something. Example: "As a participant in the competition, you are entitled to try your best and showcase your skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

He's entitled to try.

The New York Times - Sports

You're entitled to try and salvage a little self-respect".

The New Yorker

I'm entitled to try to retain as much privacy as I can.

The New York Times

According to Trevor Berry, foreigners with a work visa are entitled to try their luck.

The Guardian - Travel

After all, the first principle of most justice systems is that offenders are entitled to try to redeem themselves.

Independent

If Jenkins thinks a radically slimmed-down version has a chance of achieving stable earnings, he's entitled to try.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The US and UK governments are apparently entitled to run around and try to bully and intimidate anyone, including journalists - "to send a message to recipients of Snowden's materials, including the Guardian", as Reuters put it - but nobody is allowed to send a message back to them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Should we, their employers, not be entitled to know who was trying to visit which pages?

The Guardian - Opinion

It comes as no surprise to find that defendants are entitled to be present when tried in the crown court.

The Guardian

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Payá said the prize was "for all Cubans, because I believe that, in awarding it, Europe wishes to say to them: 'You, too, are entitled to rights.' " By trying to reform the Castro government, Mr. Payá placed himself in the middle of two extremes.

The New York Times

Mr. Gonzales, in a speech to a meeting in Washington of the American Bar Association section on national security issues, said the critics had failed to understand that the detentions should not be viewed as a civilian law-enforcement situation in which people were entitled to be charged and tried or released.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "entitled to try" when you want to emphasize someone's right or justified expectation to make an attempt, even if success isn't guaranteed. For example, in a fair competition, every participant is "entitled to try" their best.

Common error

Avoid using "entitled to try" when simply indicating a possibility or suggestion. "Entitled" implies a right or permission, not just a vague chance. For example, don't say "You're entitled to try a new recipe" when you mean "You could try a new recipe".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "entitled to try" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a subject, indicating that the subject possesses the right or permission to attempt something. Ludwig AI confirms this by providing examples where the phrase appears in contexts describing rights or permissions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "entitled to try" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that someone has the right or permission to attempt something. Ludwig AI validates this usage with multiple examples from reputable sources. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts. Alternatives such as "permitted to attempt" or "allowed to try" can be used to express similar meanings, although they may lack the implication of deservingness inherent in "entitled to try". When using the phrase, be mindful of the context to ensure that the implication of a right or justified expectation is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Have the right to attempt

Focuses on the inherent right or legal permission to make an attempt.

Permitted to attempt

Emphasizes the permission granted by an authority to try something.

Allowed to try

Highlights the allowance or lack of restriction in trying.

Authorized to attempt

Stresses the official authorization or endorsement to make an attempt.

Given the opportunity to try

Focuses on the provision of a chance or occasion to attempt something.

Has the option to try

Highlights the available choice to attempt something.

At liberty to attempt

Emphasizes the freedom or lack of constraint in trying something.

Free to try

Indicates the absence of any impediment in making an attempt.

Eligible to try

Suggests meeting the necessary conditions or qualifications to attempt something.

Warranted to try

Emphasizes the justified reason or basis for attempting something.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "entitled to try"?

Use "entitled to try" when you want to convey that someone has a legitimate right, permission, or justification to make an attempt at something. It suggests that they are not only allowed but also deserving of the opportunity. Consider alternatives like "permitted to attempt" or "allowed to try" when a formal right is not necessarily implied.

How does "entitled to try" differ from simply saying "allowed to try"?

"Entitled to try" carries a stronger connotation of deservingness or inherent right compared to "allowed to try", which merely indicates permission. "Allowed to try" is more neutral and doesn't necessarily imply that the person has earned or is inherently deserving of the opportunity.

What are some synonyms for "entitled to try" that don't use the word "entitled"?

Alternatives include "has the right to attempt", "is permitted to try", or "may attempt". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey, such as a legal right or a general permission.

Can "entitled to try" be used in negative contexts?

Yes, "entitled to try" can be used in negative contexts, often to express sarcasm or disagreement with someone's sense of entitlement. For example, "He thinks he's entitled to try to cut in line." However, the more common usages are positive, affirming the right to attempt something.