try and discover

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try and discover" is commonly used in informal spoken English, but it is not considered grammatically correct in formal written English.
It can be used when encouraging someone to attempt to find out or learn something. Example: "If you're curious about the new features, just try and discover them for yourself."

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Puzzled, I scanned the crowd to try and discover the source of this "gift".

The New York Times

Try and discover what works best for you and your students.

The Guardian

Copies of your phone bills are obtained and friends abroad ring up to try and discover where your grandson lives.

The Guardian

The game tells the story of Cliff Calo and his two friends who've come to an island to try and discover whether the zombie rumours are true.

Independent

Its seven instruments, analysing factors such as temperature atmosphere composition, will be used to try and discover why conditions on Venus are so uniquely inhospitable.

The Guardian

"Over the last two years we have been unrelenting in our efforts to try and discover the truth about how the 'selection' issue occurred.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

He additionally expressed how he tried and discovered a positive relationship between the wire resistance and the power of sound created.

Princeton University

I gave my suite's terrace another try-and discovered the ever-conscientious Beau-Rivage staff had set out comfy cushions.

Forbes

We need to build a step-change in our abilities to push the people to try and to discover new things".

The Guardian - Tech

They decide to try it and discover their innate talent for the sport — particularly Marge, who has years of experience sweeping floors.

Wikipedia

Men try to seek out and discover knowledge during the Enlightenment Age and beyond.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, replace "try and discover" with "try to discover" for improved grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "try and discover" in academic papers or professional reports; instead, opt for more formal alternatives such as "attempt to discover" or "seek to discover".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try and discover" functions as a compound verb phrase expressing an attempt to find or learn something. As shown by Ludwig, it is often used to encourage an action, suggesting an effort to uncover information or gain understanding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

20%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "try and discover" is an acceptable, yet informal, way to express the attempt to find or learn something. Ludwig's AI confirms its common usage across diverse sources, including news, media and general web content. While grammatically acceptable, it's best to substitute it with more formal alternatives, such as "try to discover" or "attempt to discover", in academic and professional writing. When using in formal context is important to consider Ludwig AI and to choose alternative grammatical forms. Ultimately, context is key when it comes to choosing the right words, and this phrase is most comfortable in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to discover

Replaces the conjunction "and" with the infinitive marker "to", resulting in a more grammatically formal phrase.

attempt to discover

Substitutes "try" with "attempt", indicating a more deliberate and formal effort.

seek to discover

Replaces "try" with "seek", implying a more intentional and focused effort to find something.

strive to discover

Uses "strive" instead of "try", suggesting a determined and persistent effort to discover something.

endeavor to discover

Replaces "try" with "endeavor", conveying a formal and earnest attempt.

aim to discover

Substitutes "try" with "aim", indicating a focused intention to find or learn something.

work to discover

Uses "work" to highlight the effort and process involved in uncovering something.

explore and discover

Emphasizes the exploratory aspect of finding something new, adding a sense of investigation.

investigate to discover

Highlights the investigative nature of the process, suggesting a systematic approach.

search for discovery

Focuses on the act of searching with the intention of achieving a discovery.

FAQs

What is the difference between "try and discover" and "try to discover"?

"Try and discover" is common in informal speech, while "try to discover" is considered more grammatically correct and suitable for formal writing. The latter is a more precise and standard construction.

When is it appropriate to use "try and discover"?

It's best used in casual conversations or informal writing. In formal settings, consider using alternatives like "attempt to discover" or "seek to discover".

How can I make the phrase "try and discover" sound more formal?

Replace "try and" with "attempt to", "endeavor to", or "seek to". For example, instead of "try and discover the solution", use "endeavor to discover the solution".

Are there any synonyms for "try and discover" that I can use in different contexts?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use "attempt to uncover", "strive to reveal", or "aim to elucidate" to express a similar meaning with varying degrees of formality.