try and fail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try and fail" is commonly used in written English, though some may argue that "try to fail" is more grammatically precise.
You can use it when discussing the process of attempting something with the possibility of not succeeding. Example: "It's important to try and fail sometimes, as it teaches valuable lessons about perseverance."

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

You try and fail and keep failing upward.

Vice

Try, and fail.

The New Yorker

Recently I heard him try, and fail.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It takes away the ability to try and fail and try and fail again".

The New York Times - Magazine

I try and fail to touch the bottom.

The New Yorker

By the same age, Jenna's main accomplishment has been to try (and fail) to buy booze.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

I tried and failed.

Forbes

He had tried and failed.

The New York Times

Phil Gramm had tried and failed.

The New York Times

Hewlett-Packard tried and failed.

The New York Times

They tried and failed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "try and fail" to normalize the concept of failure as a part of learning and growth. For example, when encouraging someone to take risks, highlight that it's acceptable to "try and fail" as long as they learn from the experience.

Common error

While "try and fail" is common in everyday language, avoid overusing it in formal academic or professional writing. Opt for more precise alternatives like "attempt unsuccessfully" or "fail to achieve the desired outcome" for clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try and fail" functions as a compound verb phrase, expressing the action of attempting something that results in failure. This usage normalizes failure as a potential outcome of effort. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

16%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

13%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "try and fail" is a common and generally acceptable way to express the concept of attempting something without success. While some argue that "try to fail" is grammatically superior, "try and fail" is widely used and understood, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is often used to normalize failure, encourage resilience, and temper expectations. While versatile, more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic writing. As Ludwig examples show, "try and fail" appears most frequently in news and media contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt unsuccessfully

Focuses on the lack of success in the attempt, simplifying the structure.

make an unsuccessful attempt

Highlights the act of making an attempt that does not achieve the desired outcome.

fall short of success

Emphasizes the failure to reach a successful result after an effort.

not manage to succeed

Indicates a lack of success, with a slightly more formal tone.

prove unable to succeed

Highlights the inability to achieve success, suggesting a more fundamental limitation.

meet with failure

Focuses on encountering failure as a result of the attempt.

take a shot and miss

Uses an idiomatic expression to describe attempting something and failing, often implying a single attempt.

flounder in the effort

Suggests struggling and failing within the process of attempting something.

strive without prevailing

Implies a determined effort that ultimately does not lead to victory or success.

struggle in vain

Emphasizes the uselessness of the effort in achieving a positive result.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "try and fail"?

While some may consider "try to fail" more grammatically precise, "try and fail" is a commonly accepted and widely used expression in English.

What does "try and fail" mean?

The phrase "try and fail" means to make an attempt at something but not succeed in achieving the desired outcome. It implies that effort was made but the goal was not reached.

What can I say instead of "try and fail"?

You can use alternatives like "attempt unsuccessfully", "fall short of success", or "not manage to succeed" depending on the context.

Is it better to "try and fail" or not try at all?

The common idiom suggests it is better to "try and fail" than to never try at all, as even in failure, there are opportunities for learning and growth.