tried to secure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tried to secure" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an effort to obtain or achieve something, often in a context where there is some difficulty or challenge involved. Example: "The organization tried to secure funding for the new project but faced several obstacles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the mean time, people tried to secure the area from security and the police by blocking their path.

Vice

They tried to secure a comfortable bail arrangement and failed.

The New Yorker

As the race has grown, however, more runners have tried to secure guaranteed entries.

The New York Times - Sports

These gangs tried to secure and enlarge territories in which they had a monopoly of distribution.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Those gangs tried to secure and enlarge territories in which they had a monopoly of distribution.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In response, the United States has tried to secure its interests in Iraq.

The New York Times

He tried to secure permission for his parents to return with him to Chicago.

The New York Times

There he tried to secure the support of the priesthood by patronizing their building projects.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We tried to secure the site, but that just made it more of a challenge".

The New York Times

French soldiers on a routine patrol smelled the smoke and tried to secure the building.

The New York Times

Their client Afghan forces also tried to secure the main roads between the cities, but this proved difficult.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about negotiations, consider adding specific details on what steps actors took and which results they achieved

Common error

Avoid using "tried to secure" when the effort was minimal or half-hearted. The phrase implies a significant attempt, so choose a different expression if the effort was slight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tried to secure" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, typically acting as the main verb or part of the main verb phrase. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and is used to express an action taken in the past to obtain or ensure something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

19%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tried to secure" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase. According to Ludwig, it serves to describe a past attempt to achieve or obtain something. The phrase appears most often in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Wiki contexts, indicating a neutral register suitable for a wide range of writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly states what was attempted and the level of effort involved. Consider alternatives like "attempted to obtain" or "sought to ensure" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sought to ensure

Emphasizes the effort and intent behind the action.

made an effort to protect

Highlights the protective aspect of the action.

attempted to guarantee

Focuses on ensuring a specific outcome or condition.

endeavored to obtain

Highlights a determined effort to achieve a specific goal.

pursued to confirm

Emphasizes the active chasing to validate something.

worked to acquire

Suggests effort directed towards gaining possession of something.

sought after to gain

Focuses on attempting to win something following a chase.

strove to safeguard

Implies a vigorous effort to protect something from harm.

aimed to lock in

Emphasizes the desire to finalize and make something certain.

took steps to assure

Focuses on providing confidence or certainty to someone.

FAQs

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

You can use "tried to secure" to describe an attempt to obtain something, such as "The company "tried to secure" funding for its new project" or "He "tried to secure" a meeting with the CEO".

What are some alternatives to "tried to secure"?

Some alternatives include "attempted to obtain", "sought to ensure", or "endeavored to acquire", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "try to secure" instead of "tried to secure"?

Yes, "try to secure" is correct, but it indicates an ongoing or future effort, while ""tried to secure"" refers to a past attempt.

What's the difference between "tried to secure" and "managed to secure"?

"Tried to secure" indicates an attempt was made, but it doesn't specify the outcome. "Managed to secure" implies that the attempt was successful.