i try to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I try to" is correct and frequently used in written English.
It is typically used to express an attempt or effort to do something. Example: I try to eat a healthy breakfast every morning.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I try to explain.

The New York Times

"I try to hide".

The New York Times

I try to imagine.

Independent

I try to interrupt.

The Guardian - Sport

I try to smile.

The New York Times

I try to teach.

Independent

I try to help.

Cornell University

I try to smile back.

The New Yorker

I try to master it.

The New York Times - Books

I try to stay positive".

The New York Times - Sports

"I try to prepare myself.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I try to" when you want to express an intention or effort without guaranteeing success. It acknowledges the attempt while leaving room for potential failure or difficulty.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "I try to" without providing evidence of your efforts. Instead of saying "I try to be more organized", describe specific steps you're taking, such as "I try to use a planner daily and allocate specific times to file documents".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I try to" functions as an introductory phrase expressing intention or effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used to indicate an attempt to perform an action, as shown in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I try to" is a versatile and commonly used expression to convey intention or effort, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts—from news and media to academia and science—make it a valuable tool in both spoken and written communication. When using "I try to", it's essential to follow up with specific actions to support your claim and avoid overusing the phrase without demonstrating concrete efforts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I am trying to

Uses the present continuous tense to express an ongoing attempt.

I attempt to

Uses "attempt" instead of "try", indicating a more formal or deliberate effort.

I have been trying to

Uses the present perfect continuous to indicate a continuous effort up to the present.

I make an effort to

Emphasizes the action of making an effort.

I aim to

Focuses on the goal or objective, suggesting a planned effort.

I endeavor to

Implies a serious and sustained effort, more formal than "I try to".

I strive to

Highlights the effort and determination involved.

I do my best to

Indicates the person is giving their maximum effort.

I seek to

Suggests a more focused and purposeful attempt.

I work towards

Highlights the ongoing process of trying to achieve something.

FAQs

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

The phrase "I try to" is used to express an intention or effort to do something. For example, "I try to eat healthy meals" or "I try to exercise regularly".

What are some alternatives to "I try to"?

You can use alternatives such as "I attempt to", "I aim to", or "I endeavor to" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "I try to" or "I am trying to"?

"I try to" generally expresses a habitual effort, while "I am trying to" emphasizes an ongoing, current effort. Both are correct, but the choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "I try to" and "I want to"?

"I try to" suggests an effort is being made, even if the outcome is uncertain. "I want to" simply expresses a desire or wish, without necessarily implying any action. They are not interchangeable.