try and listen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try and listen" is commonly used in spoken English, but it is considered less formal in written English.
You can use it when encouraging someone to make an effort to listen, often in a casual context. Example: "When you're feeling overwhelmed, just try and listen to your inner voice for guidance."

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

"One police officer killed my son without any opportunity to try and listen to him," Servando Lozano said.

The Washington Post

Just try and listen to a commercial radio station without hearing one or more of their songs in an hour, and you'll have your work cut out.

Independent

Most importantly, when you're in the interview, even though you're nervous, try and listen to the person or people you're meeting.

The Guardian

Speaking of letters, try and listen to one of the online recordings of Bunting himself reciting, and note how audibly he pronounces the letter R, wherever in a word it may occur.

The Guardian - Books

"We don't try to 'push' the produce here, we try and listen to it, to see what it can be," chef Victor Fransson smiles gently as I watch him prepare Mistral's food for the OFM shoot.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There are great pop songs here – Alive, which sets its examination of its author's mental health to a beautiful, swooping chorus; My Bad, with its sparkling guitar line and stammering rhythm – but if you try and listen to the whole thing in one sitting, they get lost in the deluge.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

It's by trying and listening that you improve and grow.

Forbes

Keep it simple, Your composing abilities will get better by trying and listening.

WikiHow

Try stretching and listening to dubstep.

WikiHow

Just try to relax, and listen to your breathing.

WikiHow

"Predicting what people want is a lot harder than trying things and listening to them," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "try and listen" is common in spoken English, use "try to listen" in formal writing for greater grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid consistently using "try and listen" in formal documents or academic papers. Instead, vary your language with options like "attempt to understand" or "make an effort to listen" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try and listen" functions primarily as an imperative, urging someone to make an effort to hear or understand something. While grammatically debated, its frequent use conveys a direct and somewhat informal request. This is reflected in the Ludwig AI assessment, which notes its common usage despite grammatical alternatives.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Science

8%

Academia

8%

HuffPost

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "try and listen" is a common expression used to encourage someone to make an effort to hear or understand. While generally acceptable in informal contexts, it's advisable to use the more grammatically formal "try to listen" in professional or academic writing. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase follows spoken English rules more closely than formal English grammar. When aiming for a more elevated tone, consider alternatives like "make an effort to listen" or "attempt to listen". Its widespread presence across various sources shows its communicative effectiveness despite grammatical nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make an effort to listen

Replaces "try and" with a more formal expression, emphasizing conscious effort.

attempt to listen

A slightly more formal substitute for "try and", conveying a similar meaning.

endeavor to listen

Introduces a more elevated and formal tone.

strive to listen

Emphasizes the effort and dedication involved in listening.

make a point of listening

Highlights intentionality and commitment to listening.

concentrate on listening

Focuses on the act of directing one's attention to the act of listening.

focus on listening

More direct and simple way of suggesting attention to the act of listening.

be attentive and listen

Adds the element of attentiveness with listening.

give it a listen

Suggests listening as a way to evaluate something.

lend an ear

An idiomatic expression for listening, often implying empathy.

FAQs

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

"Try and listen" is more colloquial, while "try to listen" is considered more grammatically correct and suitable for formal contexts. The former implies an attempt where listening is a consequence, the latter implies a direct effort to listen.

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

It's acceptable in informal conversations, casual writing, and situations where a relaxed tone is preferred. Avoid it in formal essays, professional reports, or academic papers.

What are some alternatives to "try and listen"?

You can use alternatives like "make an effort to listen", "attempt to listen", or "endeavor to listen" depending on the desired level of formality.

Is "try and listen" grammatically incorrect?

While widely used, some consider "try and listen" less grammatically precise than "try to listen". The conjunction "and" suggests that listening is a separate action, rather than the purpose of trying.