i tried starting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "i tried starting" is not correct due to the lowercase "i." It can be used in written English when discussing an attempt to begin something, such as a task or activity.
Example: "I tried starting the project last week, but I ran into some issues."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I tried starting a rock band.

The New Yorker

"In order to deal with the depression and all that, I tried starting a local book group, but it didn't work out," said Mr. O'Connor, 44.

The New York Times

Shortly after graduating and deciding to take a job in sales at a growing startup in my home town, I recall that the only thing my future boss asked about was the failed business that I tried starting during my junior year.

Forbes

I tried starting the new book.

HuffPost

For me, I tried starting with intellectual arguments hoping that my palate would fall in line.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But she has a more compelling reason for starting work at noon: "I've tried starting at nine.

The New Yorker

I'd like to try starting something from seed from this year's garden.

The New York Times

I tried to start big, but with influencer marketing you can start small and it builds quickly (because of WOM).

HuffPost

"Every time I tried, I started having panic attacks," said Ms. Robbins, 28.

The New York Times

"I tried to start a new season, basically," Boyle said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I tried to start off more on the defensive end.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider rewording to more formal alternatives like "I attempted to start..." for professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using lowercase "i" when it should be capitalized. This grammatical error reduces clarity and professionalism. Always use uppercase "I" as a pronoun.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i tried starting" functions as a statement expressing an attempt to begin an action or process. However, as Ludwig AI points out, the lowercase "i" is grammatically incorrect. The examples from Ludwig showcase the phrase in various contexts, but the capitalization error remains a persistent issue.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "i tried starting" aims to express an attempt to initiate something, but its primary grammatical issue is the incorrect lowercase capitalization of the pronoun "I". Ludwig AI underscores this point, suggesting that the grammatically correct form is "I tried starting". While present in news, academic, and scientific contexts, the phrase is considered informal due to this capitalization error and is generally not appropriate for formal writing. For enhanced clarity and professionalism, rewording to alternatives like "I attempted to start" is recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i attempted to initiate

Replaces "tried starting" with more formal synonyms for "attempted" and "start".

i made an effort to start

Emphasizes the effort involved in beginning something.

i set out to start

Indicates the beginning of an action or journey.

i gave starting a shot

Uses idiomatic expression "gave a shot" to show trying something.

i took the initiative to start

Highlights proactiveness in commencing something.

i embarked on starting

Suggests a more significant or adventurous beginning.

i began attempting to start

Uses 'began' to introduce the attempt to start.

i had a go at starting

Employs a colloquial expression "had a go" to mean attempting.

i was keen to start

Highlights enthusiasm or eagerness to commence.

i ventured to start

Suggests a bold or risky attempt to begin.

FAQs

How do I correct the capitalization in the phrase "i tried starting"?

Always capitalize the pronoun "I". The correct phrase is "I tried starting".

What are some alternatives to "I tried starting" that sound more formal?

You can use phrases like "I attempted to start" or "I made an effort to start" to convey a more formal tone.

Is there a difference between "I tried starting" and "I tried to start"?

Yes, "I tried starting" implies an attempt at the process of starting something, while "I tried to start" implies an attempt to initiate something. The latter, using the infinitive form of verb, is grammatically correct.

Which phrase is grammatically correct: "I tried starting" or "I tried to start"?

"I tried to start" is grammatically correct, as it uses the infinitive form of the verb after "tried". While "I tried starting" can be understood, it's less conventional.