giving a try

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "giving a try" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when encouraging someone to attempt something or to test out an idea or activity. Example: "I know it seems difficult, but I really think you should give it a try."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It's not an everyday thing, but something assuredly worth giving a try.

The New York Times

Yes, giving an application access to what apps you use might be a bit scary, but I think that this is something worth giving a try.

TechCrunch

Neither Hall nor his team-mates initially celebrated and with referee Gerard Sutton not giving a try, his brother Bernard would need "sufficient evidence" - according to NRL rules  - to overturn his decision, which he did not find.

BBC

I think that it's definitely worth giving a try and I think that's where she's veering toward, but I don't know if that's where her heart is.

Huffington Post

We love tools that simplify team management for virtual business owners and Paymo is one that is worth giving a try.

Huffington Post

Bauer admitted being far behind on her TV watching -- most of it happens on planes, she said -- but there are a few other shows she would be interested in giving a try.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I said "wow, let me give a try".

Huffington Post

So, give a try!

WikiHow

So I'm giving it a try.

Huffington Post

I'm definitely giving that a try!

Huffington Post

Consider giving yoga a try.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "giving a try" when you want to encourage someone to test an idea or engage in an activity without the pressure of guaranteed success. For instance, "This new software might be helpful; you should consider "giving a try".

Common error

Avoid using "giving a try" in highly formal or academic writing. Alternatives such as "attempting" or "endeavoring" may be more appropriate to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "giving a try" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun within a sentence. It commonly appears as part of a verb phrase, encouraging or describing an attempt at something, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

29%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "giving a try" is grammatically correct and functions as a gerund phrase encouraging an attempt or suggesting the value of experimentation. Ludwig AI indicates that its usage is acceptable, though moderately frequent, primarily appearing in news, media, and wiki contexts. While versatile, it may be more appropriate to opt for formal synonyms in academic or highly professional settings. Consider using alternatives like ""making an attempt"" or "endeavoring" based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making an attempt

Focuses more on the action of attempting rather than the trial aspect.

taking a shot

Implies a chance or risk is involved.

having a go

A more informal way of saying "trying".

taking a stab

Suggests less confidence in success.

undertaking an effort

Formal and emphasizes the energy invested.

embarking on a trial

Focuses on the experimental aspect of the attempt.

conducting an experiment

Highlight the scientific method of trying to achieve the target.

testing the waters

Exploring something new with caution.

making a venture

Implies an action to achieve the target despite difficult path.

pursuing a challenge

Emphasizing the difficulty and ambition of what is attempted.

FAQs

How can I use "giving a try" in a sentence?

You can use "giving a try" to suggest attempting something new. For example, "I know it's difficult, but you should consider "giving a try"." Alternatively, consider using "making an attempt" or "taking a shot".

What's a more formal alternative to "giving a try"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "endeavoring", "attempting", or "undertaking". These alternatives offer a more professional tone compared to "giving a try".

Is "giving a try" suitable for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "giving a try" might be too informal for academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives such as "experimenting with" or "undertaking a trial".

What's the difference between "giving a try" and "trying out"?

"Giving a try" implies making an attempt, while "trying out" suggests testing something to see if it works. The former focuses on the effort, and the latter on the evaluation of the outcome.