tried

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "tried" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an action that was attempted or attempted but not successful. For example: "I tried to open the door, but it was locked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I tried it.

The New York Times

It was difficult to continue with competing but I tried to carry on".

The Guardian

"I believe I may have sent through a form to request for a meeting, yes," she said when asked if di Girolamo tried to meet O'Farrell.

The Guardian

A much larger man tried to assault Ayarci, 26, and had to be stopped by other "Obamacare" opponents.

The Guardian

So they must destroy him, just as they tried destroying Clarence Thomas".

The New York Times

They tried to persuade him to call the mayor "leader", but he laughed it off.

The Guardian

"And with this work I tried to express my own feelings and let society at large speak".

The Guardian

The prime minister tried to move the focus to Miliband after Reckless, whose defection from the Conservatives triggered the byelection, inflicted a humiliating blow.

The Guardian

I always tried to avoid contact with those violent guards unless it was extremely necessary.

The Guardian

I tried to jump but nothing happened; instead they dragged me and threw me outside the truck.

The Guardian

"I tried to support it by working a second job but the economy and tourism only got worse.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tried", clarify the outcome or result of the attempt to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, "He tried to fix the car, but it still wouldn't start" offers more clarity than just "He tried to fix the car".

Common error

Avoid using "tried" without specifying what was being attempted. Saying "I tried" without further context leaves the reader wondering what you were trying to do. Instead, specify the goal: "I tried to call you earlier".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "tried" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb "try". It indicates an action that was performed or an attempt that was made. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is valid in written English. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its application in various narrative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "tried", as Ludwig AI confirms, serves as the past tense of "try", indicating an action where an attempt was made. Analysis of various sources reveals it's a very common term, predominantly found in news and media. Grammatically sound and versatile, "tried" suits both formal and informal communication. Remember to clarify the attempt's outcome for better context, and avoid using "tried" without specifying what was being attempted. For alternatives, consider "attempted", "endeavored", or "sought" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempted

Emphasizes the action of making an effort or attempt to do something.

endeavored

Suggests a more earnest or determined effort than simply "tried".

sought

Implies a deliberate and focused effort to find or achieve something.

strove

Highlights the exertion of considerable effort or energy.

made an effort

Explicitly states that effort was put forth, sometimes implying a lack of success.

gave it a shot

Suggests an informal attempt, often with uncertain prospects.

took a stab at

Indicates an exploratory attempt, possibly without extensive preparation.

had a go

British English informal equivalent of "gave it a shot".

experimented with

Suggests a trial to discover what something is like or to see what results it gives.

tested

Emphasizes the act of putting something to the test or trial.

FAQs

How to use "tried" in a sentence?

"Tried" is the past tense of "try", indicating an attempt to do something. For example, "I "tried to bake a cake"" or "She "tried her best"".

What can I say instead of "tried"?

You can use alternatives like "attempted", "endeavored", or "sought" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "tried to" or "tried and"?

"Tried to" is used to indicate an attempt, such as "I "tried to call you"". "Tried and" is used to describe something that was tested and proven, often in phrases like "tried and true".

What's the difference between "tried" and "attempted"?

While both indicate an effort to do something, "attempted" often implies a more formal or significant effort than "tried". "Tried" can be used in everyday contexts, while "attempted" might be preferred in more formal or serious situations.