try and guess

USAGE SUMMARY

'try and guess' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are asking someone to make a guess at something, such as a game, riddle, or puzzle. For example, "Try and guess the name of this song!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Given that he hasn't, we're left to try and guess which of Mr Summers and Ms Yellen is more likely to shake things up.

The Economist

Sometimes I like to try and guess the twist/murderer (I rarely, rarely manage); mostly I like to know in advance.

The Guardian - Books

Jacobs himself admits that they're still throwing around ideas, but it's fun to try and guess so let's have a look at some clues.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I'm not going to try and guess what the significance of the boy on the rocking horse is," said Johnson, before having a stab.

The Guardian - Arts

He made me try and guess which women standing at the bar they were, but never told me if I was right.

The Guardian - Film

But stocks fluctuate so much, for so many reasons (or no reason at all), that I don't think it's productive to try and guess how much of that fluctuation is due to the tax cut.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

The idea was to take individual clients' behaviors, try and second guess their value systems and build archetypes.

Huffington Post

But I think you can't really try and second-guess Iranian officials; it's all pretty arbitrary.

Huffington Post

It is embarrassing to try to rap and guess.

WikiHow

Children will pull out items sailors used and try to guess their function.

The New York Times - Arts

In a first section, we will present the most famous OS of the embedded world, and try to guess which will be leaders in 3 or 5 years.

Microelectronic Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "try and guess", ensure the context is appropriate for informal language. In formal settings, consider using alternatives like "attempt to predict" or "venture a guess".

Common error

Avoid using "try and guess" in formal documents or academic papers. Its informal tone can undermine the credibility of your writing. Opt for more sophisticated and precise vocabulary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try and guess" functions as an imperative, urging the listener or reader to make an attempt at guessing. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "try and guess" is a common and grammatically sound way to invite someone to make a guess. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's best suited for informal contexts like casual conversations or entertainment. While sources such as the News & Media and Wiki show its prevalence, formal writing benefits from alternatives like "attempt to predict" or "venture a guess". Remember to use "try and guess" when a lighthearted, engaging tone is appropriate, and opt for more formal options when precision and professionalism are key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to figure out

Focuses on the problem-solving aspect of guessing by using critical thought.

take a stab at guessing

Implies a less serious or more playful attempt to guess.

venture a guess

Suggests a cautious or hesitant attempt to guess.

hazard a guess

Similar to 'venture a guess' but perhaps with slightly more risk.

attempt to predict

Focuses on the effort to foresee a future event or outcome.

take a shot in the dark

Implies guessing with very little information or chance of success.

make an educated guess

Indicates that the guess is based on some knowledge or reasoning.

speculate

Involves forming theories or conjectures without firm evidence.

conjecture

Similar to speculate but often implies a more formal or academic context.

hypothesize

Suggests forming a testable explanation based on limited evidence.

FAQs

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

You can use "try and guess" when you want someone to make an attempt at guessing something. For example, "Try and guess what I bought you!"

What are some alternatives to "try and guess"?

Alternatives include "attempt to predict", "take a stab at guessing", or "venture a guess", depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "try and guess"?

While grammatically correct, "try and guess" might be too informal for academic or professional writing. Choose a more formal alternative in those situations.

What's the difference between "try and guess" and "try to figure out"?

"Try and guess" implies a more lighthearted or random approach to finding an answer, while ""try to figure out"" suggests a more deliberate or analytical attempt to understand something.