tried to find

USAGE SUMMARY

"tried to find" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
This phrase can be used when expressing someone's attempt to locate or track something down. For example: I tried to find the missing car keys but they were nowhere to be seen.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So I tried to find out.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I actually tried to find it.

The New York Times

He tried to find her.

The New Yorker

People tried to find reasons.

The New York Times

Collins and Toomer tried to find it.

The New York Times - Sports

Together, we tried to find practical solutions".

The Guardian

We tried to find a way.

The Guardian - Music

According to his aides, McCain tried to find some balance.

The New Yorker

The prosecution also tried to find the money.

The New Yorker

Every day, I tried to find my son.

The New York Times

(He tried to find them later, but couldn't).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tried to find", ensure the context clearly indicates what was being searched for and why the attempt was made. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid vagueness by explicitly stating what was being searched for. Instead of saying "He tried to find something," specify "He tried to find a solution to the problem."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tried to find" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating an action of attempting to locate or discover something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and the examples show it used in various contexts, from personal searches to investigative endeavors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tried to find" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase indicating an attempt to locate or discover something. Ludwig AI analysis affirms its grammatical correctness, and its widespread presence across diverse sources like news, science, and encyclopedias demonstrates its adaptability. When writing, ensure clarity by explicitly specifying the target of the search. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "attempted to locate" or "sought to discover". Understanding these nuances ensures effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

searched for

Similar to "looked for" but implies a more thorough and systematic search.

looked for

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the search, suitable for informal contexts.

attempted to locate

Replaces "tried" with "attempted" and "find" with "locate", offering a slightly more formal tone.

set out to discover

Emphasizes the initiation of a journey or process with the goal of finding something.

sought to discover

Uses "sought" instead of "tried" and "discover" instead of "find", implying a deliberate and focused search.

aimed to uncover

Focuses on the intention to reveal or expose something, replacing "find" with "uncover".

worked to identify

Implies a focused and deliberate effort to determine the identity of something.

endeavored to unearth

Substitutes "tried" with "endeavored" and "find" with "unearth", suggesting a more challenging and investigative effort.

strove to detect

Indicates a strong effort to identify or notice something, particularly something subtle or hidden.

made an effort to find

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the effort made, adding emphasis.

FAQs

How can I use "tried to find" in a sentence?

You can use "tried to find" to describe an attempt to locate something. For example, "She tried to find her keys before leaving the house."

What's a more formal alternative to "tried to find"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "attempted to locate" or "sought to discover".

What's the difference between "tried to find" and "searched for"?

"Tried to find" indicates an attempt, which may or may not have been successful. "Searched for" implies a more thorough and systematic effort.

Is it correct to say "tried and found" instead of "tried to find"?

While "tried and found" is grammatically correct, it has a different meaning. It indicates that the attempt was successful, whereas "tried to find" simply describes the attempt, regardless of the outcome.