make a trial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'make a trial' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to mean to make an attempt or to try something out, usually with the intention of measuring the success or failure of the attempt. For example: "He decided to make a trial of the new product before rolling it out to the whole company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Olson's decision doesn't make a trial inevitable.

The New York Times - Sports

If you absorb the rapid flow of claims, you may think, There's enough documented information here to make a trial plausible.

The New Yorker

Trials are not fair if a party can use peremptory challenges to craft a jury that is biased in its favor, but it is also true that peremptory challenges can make a trial fairer in perception and reality.

The New York Times

Trains on the longest subway line in China will make a trial run before the end of the year, traveling a 30-mile route between southwest and northwest Beijing, Xinhua, the state news agency, reported Thursday.

The New York Times

When the cause of shock is unclear, physicians may make a trial using intravenous fluids; if the central venous pressure rises, indicating diminished cardiac capacity, the fluids are stopped before the heart can be further compromised.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But I flew to Denmark anyway, planning to make a trial foraging run in western Zealand with my Danish friend (and fellow-journalist) Merete Baird, who spends her summers in a farmhouse overlooking Nexelo Bay — a trove of wilderness food — and likes to eat at Lammerfjordens Spisehus, a restaurant run by one of Redzepi's disciples.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

In August 1941, she made a trial run.

The New York Times - Magazine

Yet the ingenious Barber of the pulsing Piano Sonata makes a trial appearance here as well.

The New York Times - Arts

The attorney general's inability to guarantee a verdict is not a flaw; it is what makes a trial valuable--not a show trial.

The New Yorker

By cutting back on what makes a trial fairer -- money for preparation -- the county is paying lip service to one of our most important doctrines".

The New York Times

But several members said that the vote probably made a trial impossible because patients would not want to risk taking Avandia.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make a trial" when you want to emphasize the act of initiating a test or experiment, particularly when the outcome is uncertain and the intention is to learn from the experience.

Common error

Avoid substituting "make a trial" with more formal phrases like "conduct a study" in casual writing. While both suggest testing, "make a trial" is more informal and implies a less structured approach.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a trial" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, acting as the predicate in a sentence. It indicates the action of initiating a test or experiment. Ludwig confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make a trial" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express the act of initiating a test or experiment. According to Ludwig, it's a functional phrase for describing the process of evaluation in various contexts, appearing most frequently in news and scientific sources. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives may be suitable for academic or professional writing. Understanding its nuances and common usage patterns, as confirmed by Ludwig, enables writers to use the phrase effectively and avoid potential pitfalls.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conduct a test run

Focuses on performing a preliminary test before full implementation.

perform a pilot study

Implies a small-scale study to evaluate feasibility.

undertake a trial

Uses a more formal verb to describe the trial process.

execute a test phase

Emphasizes the execution and stage of testing.

initiate a trial period

Highlights the temporary nature of the trial.

carry out a pilot project

Implies a project-based trial for evaluation.

run an experiment

Focuses on the experimental aspect of the trial.

begin a test implementation

Highlights the start of a test within a larger implementation process.

start a provisional run

Emphasizes the temporary and conditional nature of the run.

attempt a preliminary test

Stresses the initial and tentative nature of the test.

FAQs

How can I use "make a trial" in a sentence?

You can use "make a trial" to describe initiating a test or experiment. For example, "The company decided to "make a trial" run of the new software before releasing it to all users".

What are some alternatives to "make a trial"?

Alternatives include "conduct a test run", "perform a pilot study", or "undertake a trial", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "make a trial" formal or informal?

"Make a trial" is generally considered more informal. For formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "undertake a trial" or "conduct an experiment".

What is the difference between "make a trial" and "run a test"?

While both phrases involve testing, "make a trial" often implies a more experimental or exploratory approach. "Run a test" is a more general term that can apply to routine checks or assessments, while "make a trial" suggests something new or uncertain is being evaluated.