it was tried

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was tried" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an attempt or effort made in the past regarding something. Example: "The new method was implemented, and it was tried in several different scenarios to assess its effectiveness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Fixing it was tried without any success.

The Economist

It was tried out on 506 randomly selected villages.

The Economist

It was tried and tested on many a rock star.

The Guardian - Arts

It was tried in Japan and was perceived to have failed.

The Economist

The last and only time it was tried before, 1966-69, it was not a success.

The Economist

"It was tried 100 times every day for the next year.

The Guardian - Sport

If it was tried at a time of housing surplus, this may have worked.

The Guardian

Or such was the concept, which failed wherever it was tried.

The New York Times - Books

It was tried in Australia and New Zealand in the 1960's and 70's.

The New York Times - Food

"It's a grand experiment, it's great it was tried, but it did not succeed," he said.

The New York Times

It was tried in the United States once before, in 2000, on PBS, but did not gain much traction.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was tried", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the subject of the attempt.

Common error

Avoid using "it was tried" without a clear antecedent for "it". Ensure the reader understands what was attempted to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was tried" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that an action (trying) was performed on a subject ("it"). As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is a correct and usable expression in written English. The examples provided illustrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

42%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was tried" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that something was attempted or tested. As Ludwig AI confirms, its neutral formality allows it to fit diverse writing styles. While widely used, it's important to ensure clear pronoun reference. The examples show its presence in science, news, and general content demonstrating its versatility. If you're looking for alternatives, consider "an attempt was made" or "the method was tested" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an attempt was made

Replaces the personal pronoun "it" with a more formal noun phrase "an attempt".

a trial was conducted

Replaces "it was tried" with a more specific phrase indicating a formal experiment.

the method was tested

Focuses on the testing of a method or approach, rather than a general attempt.

an effort was exerted

Substitutes "tried" with the more formal verb "exerted" and uses the noun "effort".

it underwent testing

Focuses on the process of testing that something was subjected to.

an experiment took place

Emphasizes the experimental nature of the attempt, using "took place" instead of "was tried".

the procedure was implemented

Highlights the implementation of a procedure as a form of trying something out.

an investigation ensued

Suggests a more thorough and formal examination or inquiry was initiated.

an approach was adopted

Implies a deliberate choice to use a specific approach to see if it works.

they gave it a shot

Uses a more informal and colloquial expression to convey the same meaning.

FAQs

What does "it was tried" mean?

The phrase "it was tried" means that someone made an attempt or effort to do something. It indicates that a particular method, approach, or solution was tested or implemented to see if it would be successful.

What can I say instead of "it was tried"?

You can use alternatives like "an attempt was made", "the method was tested", or "a trial was conducted" depending on the context.

Is "it was tried" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was tried" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard passive voice construction in English, where "it" is the subject, "was" is the auxiliary verb, and "tried" is the past participle of the verb "try".

When is it appropriate to use "it was tried" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "it was tried" when you want to indicate that a particular action, method, or solution was tested or attempted in the past. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and the subject matter.