may try to

USAGE SUMMARY

"may try to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express possibility or uncertainty about attempting to do something. Example: "After months of practice, John may try to climb Mount Everest next year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On Monday, he may try to run.

The New York Times - Sports

The south may try to secede.

The Economist

He may try to escalate the situation.

The Economist

Elliot may try to "mate" with you.

The New Yorker

Cameron may try to hold on.

The Guardian

You may try to destroy us.

The New York Times

The Justice Department may try to play hardball.

The New York Times

"A woman may try to find out why," Gyarmati said.

The New York Times - Sports

Some may try to depict him as naive.

The Guardian

The Democrats may try to resist the temptation.

The New Yorker

Photographer-witnesses may try to make the spectacular not spectacular.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may try to" to express possibility without certainty. It suggests an intention to attempt something, but the outcome is not guaranteed.

Common error

While "may try to" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound hesitant. In formal contexts, consider stronger verbs like "will endeavor" or "intends to" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may try to" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating possibility and intention. It is used to express that someone or something might make an attempt at doing something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

28%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may try to" is a versatile phrase used to express possibility and intention, as validated by Ludwig. It's common across various contexts, especially in news and media, indicating a tentative plan or action. While grammatically correct and widely used, consider stronger alternatives in formal writing to avoid sounding hesitant. Ludwig confirms that this is a valid and frequently used phrase, offering numerous examples to illustrate its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might attempt to

Replaces "may" with "might", suggesting a slightly lower probability, and "try" with "attempt", adding a touch of formality.

may aim to

Replaces "try" with "aim", focusing on the intention or goal rather than the act of attempting.

could endeavor to

Substitutes "may" with "could", indicating a potential but not definite action, and "try" with "endeavor", resulting in a more formal and sophisticated tone.

might seek to

Uses "might" instead of "may", again suggesting a lower likelihood, and replaces "try" with "seek", which implies a deliberate effort to achieve something.

may have a go at

Replaces "try" with the informal idiom "have a go at", resulting in a more casual tone.

potentially seek to

Combining "potentially" with "seek to" emphasizes the uncertainty and the focused effort.

conceivably attempt to

Uses "conceivably" to highlight the possibility, though perhaps remote, of an attempt.

may consider attempting to

Adds "consider" to emphasize that the action is only being contemplated, not necessarily acted upon.

might give a shot to

Offers a casual way of saying try. Very informal tone.

may contemplate trying to

Similar to "consider attempting to" but uses "contemplate", adding a sense of thoughtful consideration.

FAQs

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

"May try to" indicates a possibility or intention. For example, "The company may try to expand its market share next year."

What are some alternatives to "may try to"?

Alternatives include "might attempt to", "could endeavor to", or "may aim to", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "may tried to" instead of "may try to"?

No, "may tried to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "may try to", where "try" is the base form of the verb.

What's the difference between "may try to" and "will try to"?

"May try to" suggests uncertainty about the attempt, while "will try to" expresses a stronger intention and commitment to making the attempt.