trouble to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trouble to" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be a misinterpretation of "trouble" used in phrases like "take the trouble to" or "go to the trouble to," which express making an effort to do something. Example: "I appreciate you taking the trouble to help me with my project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And they're no trouble to have".

The New Yorker

It's no trouble to hail a cab.

The New York Times - Food

"We are deeply sorry for causing trouble to our customers.

The New York Times - Tech

"That market seems in trouble to me," he said.

The New York Times

Hussein Chalayan actually went to the trouble to compose something.

The New York Times

There could be a lot more trouble to come.

The Economist

Why go to so much trouble to make it meaty?

The New Yorker

I've taken the trouble to try to decipher the details.

The New Yorker

Not that they're any trouble to poach on the spot.

The New York Times

But it did not take long for trouble to follow.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He wrote to his mother: "We are in some slight trouble to-morrow.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "trouble to" in your writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "go to the trouble to" or "make an effort to".

Common error

A common mistake is to shorten "go to the trouble to" to simply "trouble to". Always include the full, correct phrasing or choose a different expression altogether.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trouble to" is generally not grammatically correct on its own. Ludwig AI identifies it as a potential misinterpretation of phrases like "go to the trouble to" or "take the trouble to". It aims to express effort or action toward something.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "trouble to" is not considered correct in standard English writing. As Ludwig AI points out, this is likely a misunderstanding or shortening of more complete and grammatically sound phrases like "go to the trouble to" or "take the trouble to". While the individual words are common, their combination in this order is non-standard. It's advisable to use the recommended alternatives to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness. This ensures your writing is both professional and easily understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go to the trouble of

This phrase indicates undertaking a task that requires extra effort or inconvenience.

make an effort to

This phrase emphasizes the act of putting in work or energy to accomplish something.

make the effort to

Similar to "make an effort to", but emphasizes a specific attempt.

take pains to

This phrase highlights the care and attention given to a task.

put oneself out to

This phrase highlights the willingness to inconvenience oneself for a task.

bother to

This implies a reluctance to engage in a task due to perceived inconvenience.

exert oneself to

This phrase suggests a significant expenditure of energy or effort.

undertake the task to

This highlights the action of starting or committing to the task.

invest the energy to

This suggests directing one's resources into something.

make a point of

This suggests deliberately doing something.

FAQs

What does it mean to "go to the trouble to" do something?

To "go to the trouble to" do something means to make a special effort or take extra time and care in order to accomplish it. For example, "He "went to the trouble to" bake a cake from scratch" means he put in extra effort.

How can I avoid using the phrase "trouble to" incorrectly?

The phrase "trouble to" is generally considered ungrammatical. Instead, use phrases like "go to the trouble to", "make an effort to", or simply rephrase the sentence to avoid the issue altogether.

Is "it's no trouble to" correct?

Yes, "it's no trouble to" is a correct and common phrase. It means something is easy or convenient to do. For example, "It's no trouble to pick you up from the airport" means it's easy for me to do that.

What are some alternatives to "go to the trouble to"?

Alternatives include "make an effort to", "take the time to", or "exert oneself to". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.