tries to do something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tries to do something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone's efforts or attempts to accomplish a task or goal. Example: "She always tries to do something meaningful with her time, whether it's volunteering or learning a new skill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

"Everybody tries to do something," Lemaire said.

The New York Times - Sports

"He sees the injustice in these things, and he tries to do something about it".

The New York Times

A good-hearted P.R. man, Ray Embrey Jason Batemann), tries to do something for Hancock's image.

The New Yorker

What's really important is that Linda tries to do something for her daughter and fails".

The Guardian

Instead of trying to be something, she tries to do something.

The Guardian - Opinion

Holmes counters that Theranos is only trying to protect itself from competitors while it tries to do something unique.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

I'm trying to do something else.

The New York Times

We tried to do something in-between".

The New York Times

"We tried to do something about it".

The New York Times - Sports

We are trying to do something consistently".

The New York Times - Sports

"I tried to do something," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tries to do something", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific goal or action being attempted. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "tries to do something" repeatedly without specifying what the 'something' is. This can make your writing sound vague and uninspired. Provide specific details about the action or goal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tries to do something" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating an attempt or effort to perform an action. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, providing numerous examples where individuals or entities are actively engaged in attempting various tasks or goals.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tries to do something" is a common and versatile expression used to indicate an attempt or effort to perform an action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, as well as in informal writing like wiki articles. While it is suitable for neutral and sometimes formal registers, more precise alternatives like "attempts to achieve" or "endeavors to execute" may be preferred for formal or academic writing. When using the phrase, clarity is key; ensuring the specific action being attempted is well-defined avoids vagueness and strengthens the writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempts to achieve something

This alternative emphasizes the effort made towards a goal, replacing "tries" with the more formal "attempts".

makes an effort to act

Focuses on the exertion of effort, replacing "tries" with "makes an effort" and specifying the action as "act".

seeks to accomplish

Replaces "tries" with the more formal "seeks" and "do" with "accomplish", indicating a determined pursuit of a goal.

undertakes to perform

Emphasizes the initiation of a task or action, using more formal vocabulary than the original phrase.

endeavors to execute

Suggests a serious and dedicated effort, employing more elevated language to convey the attempt.

strives to complete

Highlights the struggle and dedication involved in achieving a goal, replacing "tries" with "strives".

aims to carry out

Indicates a clear intention and purpose, using "aims" instead of "tries" and "carry out" instead of "do".

works to fulfill

Focuses on the effort put into satisfying a requirement or achieving a goal, using "works" instead of "tries".

is working on

This alternative uses the continuous tense to express ongoing effort, differing slightly in nuance from the original.

is making progress on

Indicates that effort is being made and some advancement is occurring, focusing on the development aspect.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "tries to do something" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "attempts to achieve", "endeavors to execute", or "seeks to accomplish" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "tries to do something" and "attempts to do something"?

While both phrases convey an effort to perform an action, "attempts to do something" (/s/attempts+to+do+something) often implies a more deliberate or serious effort than "tries to do something". The latter can sometimes suggest a more casual or experimental approach.

Is it grammatically correct to say "try and do something" instead of "tries to do something"?

While "try and do something" is commonly used in informal speech, "tries to do something" is generally considered more grammatically correct, especially in formal writing. It's better to avoid "try and do something" in academic or professional contexts.

What are some alternative ways to express the idea of 'making an effort' without using "tries to do something"?

You can use phrases such as "makes an effort to act", "is working on", or "is making progress on" to convey the idea of effort without directly using "tries to do something".