try contacting

USAGE SUMMARY

'try contacting' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are suggesting someone take an action to speak to or communicate with someone else. For example: "If you're having difficulty finding the right information, try contacting the local library for more help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If that fails, try contacting the authors.

Yale University

Many try contacting the network broadcasting the event.

The New York Times - Sports

Try contacting the inspector general of the city's Transportation Department.

The New York Times

Try contacting bereavement care charity Cruse or ask your GP for a referral.

The Guardian

You may try contacting your school's career office, guidance counselor, or advisor for more information.

Columbia University

I would try contacting agricultural service organizations closer to your farm.

Cornell University

If you search your hard drive and can't find the software, try contacting Trend Micro's technical support team at www.trendmicro.com.

The New York Times - Tech

To find individual owners with hearses to sell, try contacting some of the dozens of clubs for hearse enthusiasts.

The New York Times - Travel

If not, you could try contacting specialist study skills tutors: often educational psychologists hold lists of experienced practitioners.

The Guardian

You could try contacting the following: Charity Bank; Social Investment Business Social Financee; Bridges Ventures; CAF Venturesome; Triodos; UnLtd; Rathbone Greenbank Investments Big Issue Invest Unity Trust Banknk.

The Guardian

To find other private operators, try contacting a travel agency like the American Visitor Centers, 111 Highway 1, Key West, Fla .33040; [phone], www.seekeys.com.seekeys.com

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "try contacting" when suggesting an initial attempt at communication, especially when the outcome is uncertain.

Common error

Avoid simply telling someone to "try contacting" without providing context or alternative solutions. Instead, offer specific steps or alternative approaches if initial contact is unsuccessful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try contacting" primarily functions as a verb phrase suggesting an action of initiating communication. It advises someone to make an attempt to get in touch with another person or entity. Ludwig examples show it used in a variety of contexts, reinforcing its role as a suggestion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

36%

News & Media

33%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "try contacting" is a common and grammatically correct way to suggest initiating communication. Ludwig AI affirms its usability in various contexts, from academic to informal. It's crucial to provide specific contact details or alternatives when advising someone to "try contacting". While the register is generally neutral to informal, the phrase is versatile enough for professional use. Alternatives like "attempt to reach" or "reach out to" can be used for slight variations in emphasis. Ultimately, "try contacting" serves as a straightforward and practical suggestion for getting in touch with someone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to reach

Focuses on the effort to establish communication.

consider getting in touch with

Suggests a more thoughtful approach to initiating contact.

think about contacting

Introduces a preliminary stage of considering communication.

look into contacting

Implies investigating the possibility of making contact.

explore the option of contacting

Highlights the act of considering communication as one of several options.

give a call to

Replaces the general term with the more specific 'call'.

make an effort to contact

Emphasizes the deliberate attempt and effort involved.

initiate communication with

Uses a more formal and direct approach to describe starting communication.

reach out to

Suggests extending communication efforts to someone.

get in contact with

Focuses on establishing any form of communication.

FAQs

How can I use "try contacting" in a sentence?

You can use "try contacting" to suggest someone initiates communication, like "If you have any questions, "try contacting" our support team".

What can I say instead of "try contacting"?

You can use alternatives like "attempt to reach", "consider getting in touch with", or "reach out to" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "try contacting"?

It's appropriate to use "try contacting" when suggesting someone make an initial effort to communicate, especially when the outcome is uncertain and further steps might be needed.

Is "try to contact" grammatically different from "try contacting"?

While both are acceptable, "try contacting" emphasizes the action of contacting, whereas "try to contact" focuses on the effort to make contact, regardless of whether contact is actually made. The nuance is subtle, but "try contacting" implies a higher expectation of actual communication.