this has been tried

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this has been tried" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an action or method that has previously been attempted or tested. Example: "In our research, we found that this has been tried before, but the results were inconclusive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

This has been tried in several ways.

The Economist

I think this has been tried before.

The New Yorker

This has been tried experimentally, with mixed results.

The New York Times

This has been tried already, with miserable results.

The New York Times

"This has been tried before but never achieved.

The New York Times - Arts

This has been tried and tested in the field".

The Guardian

The fact that nothing like this has been tried before.

The Guardian

It's not the first time something like this has been tried.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Levies like this have been tried elsewhere, such as in Denmark, and haven't worked.

Independent

Dr. Silver said this had been tried for medical uses but with little success.

The New York Times - Science

"Laws like this have been tried in the US, mainly over the last couple of decades," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing it with alternatives like "this was previously attempted" or "this has been attempted before" to enhance the formality of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "this has been tried" without providing context. Without details about the prior attempt, the statement lacks informative value and may confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this has been tried" functions as a statement indicating that a particular action, method, or idea has been attempted in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across various contexts. The function of the phrase is to reference prior experience or attempts related to a specific subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this has been tried" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that communicates that a particular action or method has been attempted previously. Ludwig AI highlights its applicability across various domains, including news, science, and formal communications. When using this phrase, providing context and details about the prior attempt is essential for clarity. Alternative phrases like "this was previously attempted" or "this has been attempted before" can be used to subtly shift the tone or emphasis. Common mistakes involve overgeneralization, so always aim to provide specific information about the prior attempts to ensure the message is informative and relevant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this has been attempted before

Reiterates the original meaning by explicitly stating that the attempt occurred in the past.

prior attempts have been made

Similar to 'this has been attempted before' but emphasizes multiple attempts.

this was previously attempted

Emphasizes the prior attempt using a more formal tone and slightly different wording.

this is not a novel approach

Indicates that the method or idea is not new and has been used or considered before.

this approach has been tested

Focuses on the testing aspect of the attempt, implying a more scientific or methodical approach.

we've explored this avenue already

Suggests that the specific path or method has already been investigated and may not be fruitful.

this has been field-tested

Implies that the idea or concept has been put into practice in a real-world scenario.

there's precedent for this

Indicates that there are prior examples or similar cases that serve as a guide or justification.

this method has a history

Highlights the existence of a past record of using the specified method.

this has a proven track record

Highlights the previous success of the approach.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says, "this has been tried before"?

It means that a particular idea, method, or approach has been attempted or tested in the past. The speaker is usually suggesting that there is prior experience or precedent related to the current situation.

What can I say instead of "this has been tried"?

You can use alternatives like "this was previously attempted", "this has been attempted before", or "this approach has been tested" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "this has been tried" or "this was tried"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "this has been tried" implies that the attempt has some relevance or bearing on the current discussion or situation. "This was tried" is a simpler statement about a past action.

How can I use "this has been tried" effectively in a sentence?

Ensure you provide context. For example, "This has been tried before, but the technology wasn't advanced enough at the time" provides additional information that makes the statement more meaningful and useful.