try and keep

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "try and keep" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this expression to express the idea of making an effort to maintain or hold on to something. For example, "I'm trying and keeping my cool despite the stressful situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Try and keep it professional".

The New York Times

Please try and keep up.

The Guardian - Sport

"I try and keep myself young".

The Guardian - Sport

"I try and keep my stuff private.

The Guardian - Film

We try and keep out of politics.

The Guardian

Just try and keep me off stage.

The New York Times

Otherwise, just try and keep things going.

The Guardian

I'll try and keep the current form going next year.

Independent

"You've got to try and keep going forward.

The New York Times - Sports

I have to try and keep evolving with them".

The New York Times

He wanted me to try and keep them up.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "try and keep", ensure the context clearly indicates what you are attempting to maintain or preserve. This phrase is versatile, but clarity is crucial for effective communication.

Common error

While acceptable, "try and keep" can sound informal. In formal contexts, consider more precise alternatives such as "endeavor to maintain" or "strive to preserve" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try and keep" functions primarily as a directive, expressing an effort to maintain a certain state or continue an action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples show its use across varied contexts, from personal resolve to maintaining professional standards.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

42%

News & Media

36%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "try and keep" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey an effort to maintain or preserve something. Ludwig AI validates its widespread acceptability. While versatile, it leans towards informal and neutral registers, making it suitable for general communication and news. For formal or academic writing, consider more precise alternatives like "endeavor to maintain". Its directive function encourages persistence and focus in achieving a desired outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do your best to maintain

Emphasizes the individual's best effort in keeping something, adding a personal commitment to "try and keep".

make an effort to hold onto

Explicitly states the effort involved in retaining something, swapping "try and keep" for a more descriptive phrase.

try to hold steady

Replacing "keep" with the adverbial phrase "hold steady" implies an attempt to maintain a constant position.

endeavor to maintain

Replaces "try" with a more formal "endeavor" and "keep" with "maintain", implying a sustained effort.

attempt to sustain

Emphasizes the act of prolonging or supporting something, differing from "try and keep" by highlighting continuity.

make an effort to continue

Focuses on the effort to pursue an action or state, swapping "try and keep" for a more descriptive phrase.

strive to preserve

Focuses on the effort to protect something from change or damage, replacing "try and keep" with an emphasis on preservation.

seek to retain

Formally expresses the desire to keep something, replacing "try and keep" with a focus on retention.

aim to uphold

Implies a goal-oriented effort to maintain a standard or principle, offering a more formal alternative to "try and keep".

work to conserve

Highlights the effort to save or protect resources, changing "try and keep" to focus on conservation.

FAQs

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

You can use "try and keep" to express the act of making an effort to maintain something. For example, "I'll try and keep the current form going next year" or "Try and keep calm".

What are some alternatives to "try and keep"?

Alternatives to "try and keep" include "endeavor to maintain", "strive to preserve", or "make an effort to hold onto", depending on the context.

Is "try and keep" formal or informal?

"Try and keep" is generally considered informal. In more formal settings, it's better to use phrases like "attempt to sustain" or "aim to uphold".

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

While both phrases are used to express an attempt to maintain something, "try and keep" is considered slightly more informal than "try to keep". Using "try to keep" might be preferable in formal writing.