tried to get

USAGE SUMMARY

"tried to get" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing an attempt to obtain or achieve something. Example: "She tried to get a ticket to the concert." Alternative expressions include "attempted to obtain" and "sought to acquire."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

He tried to get up.

The New Yorker

Bennett tried to get cute.

The New Yorker

"The Tigers tried to get them back.

The New Yorker

Lute tried to get Holbrooke fired.

The New York Times - Books

"He tried to get close to everyone.

Independent

"I just tried to get open.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Trying to Get Arrested.

Columbia University

He tries to get up.

The New Yorker

Now try to get up.

The New York Times

You try to get warm.

The New Yorker

Try to get some sleep".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, consider if a more precise verb like "attempted to obtain" or "sought to verify" adds more clarity to your methodology.

Common error

Avoid using "tried getting" when you mean you made a failed effort to achieve a specific goal. "Tried to get" implies you attempted an action with a clear objective, whereas "tried getting" often implies you experimented with a method to see what would happen.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tried to get" functions as a complex verb construction where "tried" serves as the finite main verb in the past tense, followed by "to get" as a catenative complement in the infinitive form. Ludwig data indicates it is used to denote a completed or attempted effort in the past.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "tried to get" is a highly effective and universally understood phrase used to denote past efforts. As seen in Ludwig AI examples, it is a staple of journalistic writing, appearing in major outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian. While it is grammatically perfect and versatile, professional writers should distinguish it from more formal alternatives like "attempted to acquire" when the context demands high precision. Whether describing a bureaucratic hurdle or a physical struggle, this phrase remains a reliable choice for clear English communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempted to obtain

Significant increase in formality; better suited for academic or legal reports.

sought to acquire

More formal; implies a purposeful search or strategic acquisition.

strove to gain

Emphasizes the intensity of the struggle or effort involved.

endeavored to procure

Highly formal; often used in official or historical contexts.

aimed to secure

Focuses on the goal of making something safe or certain.

worked to reach

Emphasizes the labor or steps taken to achieve a result.

struggled to find

Specific to scenarios where the object was difficult to locate.

bid for

Specific to financial, competitive, or political attempts.

pursued

Condensed version that implies ongoing effort or follow-up.

ventured to win

Implies a degree of risk-taking or competitive spirit.

FAQs

How do I use "tried to get" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe any past attempt at acquisition, for example: "The team "tried to get the funding" but was ultimately unsuccessful."

What can I say instead of "tried to get"?

Depending on the context, you can use more precise alternatives like ""attempted to obtain"", "sought to acquire", or "strove to gain".

Which is more formal, "tried to get" or "attempted to obtain"?

""attempted to obtain"" is much more formal and is preferred in legal, medical, or academic documents over "tried to get".

Is it "tried to get" or "tried and got"?

"tried to get" focus on the attempt (regardless of outcome), whereas "tried and got" implies a sequence where the attempt was successful. For professional writing, stick to "tried to get" to describe the effort.