tried contacting

USAGE SUMMARY

"tried contacting" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, you can use it in a sentence such as: "I tried contacting my friend, but they never responded."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

"I tried contacting him, but he hasn't answered.

The Guardian

But when they tried contacting Changzhi officials, there was no response.

The New York Times

I tried contacting my local MP but he did not seem interested.

The Guardian

First he tried contacting Veterans Affairs Department hospitals and V.A. officials, but that was a "Quijotian quest," he said.

The New York Times

After his brother's arrest, David Kaczynski tried contacting each of his victims or their survivors, and befriended one.

The New York Times

He tried contacting Bob Hope, but a secretary responded, "Mr. Hope said good luck with your project".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Try contacting the inspector general of the city's Transportation Department.

The New York Times

Many try contacting the network broadcasting the event.

The New York Times - Sports

You could try contacting the following: Charity Bank; Social Investment Business Social Financee; Bridges Ventures; CAF Venturesome; Triodos; UnLtd; Rathbone Greenbank Investments Big Issue Invest Unity Trust Banknk.

The Guardian

Try contacting them.

WikiHow

Try contacting a favorite author.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates who you "tried contacting" and, if relevant, the method you used (e.g., phone, email).

Common error

Avoid using "tried contacting" without specifying who was contacted. For instance, instead of saying "I tried contacting", specify "I tried contacting the customer service department".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tried contacting" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past attempt to establish communication with someone. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. The phrase combines the verb "tried" with the gerund "contacting", forming a compound verb that expresses an action undertaken in the past.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

20%

Huffington Post

11%

Less common in

TechCrunch

11%

Science

9%

Vice

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tried contacting" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe a past attempt to establish communication. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and appears frequently in various contexts, including news, wikis, and scientific publications. While alternatives like "attempted to reach" or "reached out to" exist, "tried contacting" offers a neutral tone suitable for diverse writing styles. It's crucial to specify who was contacted to maintain clarity. Overall, Ludwig confirms that "tried contacting" is a reliable and commonly used phrase in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempted to reach

Emphasizes the effort made to establish communication.

sought to contact

Suggests a more formal or deliberate attempt to make contact.

endeavored to get in touch with

Highlights the effort and determination involved in trying to communicate.

made an effort to contact

Focuses on the action of trying rather than the success of the contact.

reached out to

A more informal and modern way of saying "tried contacting".

got in touch with

Implies an attempt to establish communication, but may not necessarily indicate effort.

called

Implies a phone call attempt.

messaged

Suggests using a digital messaging platform for contact.

emailed

Specifies email as the method of contact.

wrote to

Implies a formal, written method of contact, like a letter.

FAQs

How can I use "tried contacting" in a sentence?

You can use "tried contacting" to describe an attempt to reach someone, such as, "I "tried contacting him", but he didn't answer" or "She "tried contacting the company" for support".

What are some alternatives to "tried contacting"?

Alternatives include "attempted to reach", "reached out to", or "sought to contact". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "tried to contact" or "tried contacting"?

Both "tried to contact" and "tried contacting" are grammatically correct. "Tried contacting" often emphasizes the act of attempting communication, while "tried to contact" focuses more on the intention. There is no significant difference in meaning.

What's the difference between "tried contacting" and "attempted to contact"?

"Attempted to contact" ("attempted to contact") is a more formal alternative to "tried contacting". Both convey the same meaning, but "attempted" may be preferred in professional or academic settings.