try and convince

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try and convince" is commonly used in spoken English, but it is considered less formal in written English.
You can use it when you want to express an attempt to persuade someone. Example: "I will try and convince her to join us for dinner."

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So let me try and convince you that that's not an uninteresting idea.

Yale University

Broken promises and the leaders who try and convince us that things are otherwise.

The New Yorker

Collins went to Fletcher to try and convince him that Young was really the offending party.

The New York Times - Sports

"It has been an uphill battle to try and convince people," she said.

The New York Times

To try and convince yourself that there's a renaissance – that takes a lot of convincing.

The New York Times

Sarkozy's supporters try and convince themselves there is still a chance.

The Guardian - Opinion

I'm going to try and convince you without actually proving it that this is indeed the case.

Yale University

Hillary Clinton went to Russia to try and convince him not to do so; they thwarted her efforts.

The New York Times

People sharing articles over e-mail to try and convince their relatives one way or the other.

The Washington Post

So this is a little example involving Cournot, but I want to try and convince you that this example is more general.

Yale University

But the company's plan seems to be to try and convince the DOJ to give a green light first before taking the deal back to the FCC.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "try and convince" is acceptable in informal contexts, consider using "try to convince" or "attempt to persuade" in formal writing for a more polished and professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "try and convince" repeatedly in formal documents. Vary your language by using synonyms like "endeavor to persuade" or "seek to influence" to enhance the sophistication of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try and convince" functions as an infinitive phrase, expressing an attempt to influence or persuade someone. As Ludwig shows, it's frequently used in everyday language.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

12%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "try and convince" is a common phrase used to express the intention of persuading someone. While acceptable in informal contexts, "try to convince" is generally preferred in formal writing. Ludwig examples demonstrate frequent use in news and media. Alternative phrases include "attempt to persuade" and "endeavor to convince". According to Ludwig AI, "try and convince" is acceptable, but less formal. When writing, be mindful of your audience and the level of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to persuade

Replaces "try and" with a more formal alternative.

endeavor to convince

Uses a more sophisticated verb to express the attempt.

seek to persuade

Highlights the intention behind the attempt.

make an effort to convince

Emphasizes the exertion involved in persuading.

strive to convince

Indicates a determined effort to persuade.

aim to persuade

Focuses on the goal of persuasion.

work to persuade

Highlights the active process of persuasion.

give it your best shot to convince

Suggests doing all you can to achieve persuasion

have a go at convincing

This is informal and suggests that you will attempt to convince the other party

put your best foot forward to convince

Suggests doing one's best to impress or convince someone

FAQs

Is "try and convince" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "try and convince" is considered less formal than "try to convince". Ludwig AI indicates that it's acceptable but suggests using the latter in formal contexts.

What's the difference between "try and convince" and "try to convince"?

"Try to convince" is generally considered more grammatically correct and formal. "Try and convince" is more common in spoken English and informal writing. Consider formality when choosing between the two.

How can I use "try and convince" in a sentence?

You can use "try and convince" when you want to express an attempt to persuade someone, for example: "I will try and convince her to join us for dinner." You could also use alternatives like "attempt to persuade".

What are some alternatives to "try and convince"?

Alternatives include "attempt to persuade", "endeavor to convince", or "seek to persuade", depending on the level of formality required.