say to try

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "say to try" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a suggestion or encouragement to attempt something, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "I want to say to try your best in the competition."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

This has led Mr. Hu, this scholar and other party insiders say, to try to keep control of the military.

The New York Times

"I say to try and win titles and create a legacy but if it's money you want then outside of the Klitschko fight I'm the only guy that makes you money.

Independent

So he'll say, 'Oh, I just wrote what came to my mind.' Whatever kind of offhand thing you could say to try to deflate someone who is trying to inflate your lyrics with meaning".

The New York Times

While he says he will step down in favor of a new administration, he has been dragging his feet from the start, diplomats say, to try to hold on to power.

The New York Times

Mr. Brosnahan is using all the tools available to him, other defense lawyers say, to try to fend off the filing of a treason charge, with its potential for the death penalty.

The New York Times

"That's just something he had to say to try to get some Republican votes," explained 20-year-old Edgars Klepers, a computer sales clerk and student at South Seattle Community College, who voted for Mr. McCain partly because he thought it would be both "interesting and fun" to have him as president.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"He said to try it out," Laufer said.

The New York Times

Mr. Sanchez said to try again to give him food.

The New York Times

"She says to try in the knife-and-fork drawer".

The New Yorker

People ought to feel bad more than they do, she says, to try to make amends.

The Guardian - Film

"It would be my suggestion," Jackson, 65, said, "to try to be the player".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to suggest an action, use clear and direct verbs like "suggest", "advise", or "recommend" followed by a gerund or an infinitive phrase.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "say to try" as it is grammatically awkward. Instead, opt for clearer constructions like "suggest trying" or "advise someone to try".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "say to try" functions as an incorrect attempt to express a suggestion or recommendation. It lacks grammatical correctness and clarity. Ludwig AI indicates that it is not a standard or recommended phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "say to try" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and is not recommended for formal writing. Ludwig AI flags it as a phrase that does not convey a clear meaning in written English. Although it appears in some sources, including news and media, it's best to use clearer alternatives like "suggest trying" or "advise to try" for better communication and grammatical accuracy. Opting for these alternatives ensures that your message is understood and well-received.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suggest trying

Replaces "say to" with the more direct verb "suggest", improving grammatical flow.

advise to try

Uses "advise" instead of "say", offering a more formal tone and clearer instruction.

recommend trying

Employs "recommend" for a more persuasive and considered suggestion.

tell someone to try

Clarifies the structure by explicitly including "someone" as the recipient of the instruction.

encourage someone to try

Switches from a simple statement to a more supportive and motivational expression.

urge to try

Uses "urge" to convey a stronger sense of importance and insistence in the suggestion.

invite to try

Suggests a gentle encouragement, framing the attempt as an opportunity.

propose trying

Offers a more formal and considered suggestion, suitable for business or academic contexts.

ask to try

Frames the suggestion as a request, softening the directness of the instruction.

mention trying

Lightly introduces the idea of trying, without necessarily issuing a direct command or suggestion.

FAQs

How can I properly suggest someone attempt something?

Instead of using the phrase "say to try", which is grammatically incorrect, use phrases like "suggest trying", "advise to try", or "recommend trying" for clarity.

Is the phrase "say to try" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "say to try" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use alternative phrasing that is more direct and clear.

What's a more formal way to suggest someone try something?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "recommend trying" or "advise someone to try" instead of "say to try".

Which is correct, "say to try" or "suggest trying"?

"Suggest trying" is the correct and preferred phrasing. "Say to try" is grammatically awkward and should be avoided.