tried very hard

USAGE SUMMARY

"tried very hard" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you could use it in the following sentence: "He tried very hard to finish the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

And I tried very hard to.

The New York Times - Books

"The son tried very hard.

The New York Times

"I tried very hard," Mr. Liao said.

The New York Times

Steavenson: I tried very hard to avoid a final conclusion.

The New Yorker

For a time, I tried very hard to keep up.

The New York Times

I tried very hard not to look at the crack.

The New Yorker

She really tried very hard with that lad".

The New Yorker

And we tried very hard to understand what he wanted.

The New York Times

"The other team tried very hard and denied us.

Independent

MirCorp is a very good company and tried very hard.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

… We [tried] very hard.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tried very hard" when you want to emphasize the level of effort someone put into achieving a specific goal or overcoming a challenge.

Common error

While "tried very hard" is acceptable, avoid overuse by varying your language with synonyms like "strove diligently" or "made a strong effort" to maintain writing freshness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tried very hard" functions as a verb phrase, typically serving as the predicate of a sentence. It describes the action of exerting considerable effort to achieve a particular goal or outcome. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

7%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tried very hard" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to emphasize significant effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely applicable in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, be mindful of potential overuse and consider synonyms like "strove diligently" to diversify your writing. Remember to use ""tried very hard"" to describe past efforts, and "try very hard" for present or future endeavors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Tried incredibly hard

Emphasizes the extreme level of effort exerted.

Exerted maximum effort

Formal and emphatic way of stating that one tried their best.

Tried really hard

A more informal way of expressing significant effort.

Tried quite hard

Indicates a considerable but perhaps not maximal effort.

Put in maximum effort

Directly states the highest level of exertion.

Made a strong effort

Highlights the intensity and forcefulness of the attempt.

Went to great lengths

Indicates that significant measures were taken to achieve a goal.

Worked tirelessly

Focuses on the continuous and persistent nature of the effort.

Strove diligently

Emphasizes the careful and dedicated approach to the effort.

Poured all efforts

Suggests a complete and total dedication of energy.

FAQs

How can I use "tried very hard" in a sentence?

You can use "tried very hard" to describe someone's effort, such as, "She "tried very hard" to succeed in her career" or "He "tried very hard" to fix the problem".

What can I say instead of "tried very hard"?

You can use alternatives like "worked tirelessly", "made a strong effort", or "strove diligently" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "try very hard" instead of "tried very hard"?

"Try very hard" is used in the present tense to express an ongoing effort, while ""tried very hard"" is used in the past tense to describe a completed effort. For example, "I always "try very hard" to do my best" versus "I "tried very hard" yesterday".

What is the difference between "tried very hard" and "tried hard"?

"Tried very hard" emphasizes a greater degree of effort compared to simply saying "tried hard". The addition of "very" intensifies the level of exertion.