try both

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try both" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when suggesting that someone should attempt two different options or choices to see which one they prefer or works better. Example: "If you're unsure about which flavor to choose, you can try both and see which one you like best."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let's try both".

The New York Times - Magazine

Then try both together, and so on.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So we try both and observe what happens.

The New Yorker

Campbell thought we should try both armor piercing rounds (A.P).

The New York Times - Magazine

"Try both," she said, and I did, plus some.

The New York Times

Try both on a gentle morning or afternoon round walk.

The Guardian - Travel

"Given our costs, we realized we could try both".

The New York Times

Try both strategies yourself with Zoltar himself below.

The New York Times

And of course they could try both, and more.

The New York Times - Arts

I suggest you try both and go with whichever works better for your images.

Stanford University

Why shouldn't she try both events and try to achieve her goal?

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting two options, use "try both" to encourage active experimentation and comparison, rather than passive consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "try both" without clearly establishing what the two options are. Ensure the context makes it immediately obvious what the user is meant to try.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try both" serves as an imperative, urging the listener or reader to experiment with two identified options. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability. It encourages practical exploration, leading to informed decision-making based on direct experience, seen in examples from news, science and wikiHow.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

27%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "try both" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for recommending experimentation with two identified options. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable across various contexts. Its primary function is to provide a suggestion or recommendation, encouraging active engagement to determine the most suitable choice. The usage patterns indicate its prevalence in news, media, and wikis, maintaining a neutral register that makes it suitable for diverse communications. To enhance clarity, it is advised to ensure the options are well-defined. Alternatives like "attempt both" or "experiment with both" can be used to slightly adjust the tone or emphasize a different aspect of the recommendation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt both

Replaces "try" with "attempt", suggesting a more formal or deliberate effort.

test both out

Adds "out" to emphasize experimentation and evaluation.

experiment with both

Highlights the exploratory nature of trying different options.

sample both

Implies a brief experience with each option, often used in the context of food or products.

check out both

Indicates a casual investigation or examination of two possibilities.

give both a shot

Uses an idiomatic expression suggesting an informal attempt.

evaluate both

Emphasizes a structured assessment of two choices.

consider both

Suggests thinking about and weighing the merits of each option.

explore both avenues

Uses a more metaphorical and elaborate way of indicating you should consider both options.

investigate both options

This highlights the detailed examination of two different options.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "try both" to sound more formal?

In more formal settings, you can use phrases like "attempt both", "evaluate both", or "consider both" depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "try both"?

While generally acceptable, "try both" is best suited for situations where experimentation or comparison is encouraged. In contexts requiring immediate action or a definitive choice, other phrasing might be more suitable.

What does "try both" imply in a sentence?

The phrase "try both" suggests that there are two available options and that the person should actively experiment with or experience each one to determine which is preferable or more effective.

What are some synonyms for "try both"?

Synonyms include phrases like "test both out", "experiment with both", or "sample both", each carrying slightly different connotations.