try harder

USAGE SUMMARY

'try harder' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it as an imperative when encouraging someone to work harder or to excercise additional effort. Example: "If you want to reach your goals, you need to try harder."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Must try harder, Nige.

Independent

You must try harder".

The New Yorker

Must try harder.

Independent

"But please try harder".

The Guardian

Why try harder?

The Guardian - Sport

"Let's try harder.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

And they try hard.

The Economist

Those Mariners... try hard".

The New York Times - Magazine

You need relaxed players who try hard".

The New York Times - Sports

We will have to try hard".

Independent

He does try hard.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "try harder" to directly encourage someone to increase their effort. It's suitable when you believe someone is capable of achieving more.

Common error

While "try harder" is perfectly acceptable in many contexts, it can sound dismissive or overly simplistic in formal or professional environments. Opt for more nuanced phrasing to convey constructive feedback.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try harder" functions primarily as an imperative, directly urging or encouraging someone to increase their effort or diligence in a particular task or endeavor. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and frequently used. Many of the examples provided by Ludwig illustrate this direct, encouraging function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "try harder" is a grammatically correct and frequently used imperative phrase that serves to directly encourage increased effort. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts. While it is most commonly found in news and media, its tone is generally neutral to informal, and writers should be mindful of the context to avoid sounding dismissive, especially in formal settings. For situations requiring more tact, alternative phrases such as "exert more effort" or "make a greater effort" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a greater effort

Emphasizes the amount of effort needed, differing slightly in tone and structure.

exert more effort

Focuses on the action of applying more effort, shifting from an imperative to a descriptive suggestion.

push yourself further

Suggests personal ambition and exceeding current limits, adding a motivational aspect.

give it your all

Suggests complete dedication and maximum effort, presenting a more inspirational tone.

intensify your efforts

Recommends making current attempts stronger, offering a more formal and structured tone.

strive for more

Emphasizes ambition and the pursuit of greater achievements, adding a layer of aspiration.

apply more diligence

Stresses careful and persistent work, changing the focus to a specific quality of effort.

endeavor to improve

Highlights the continuous process of betterment, differing in its stress on gradual progress.

increase your dedication

Suggests heightening commitment and focus, adding a dimension of loyalty and steadfastness.

raise the bar

Focuses on setting higher standards and exceeding expectations, offering a competitive and aspirational angle.

FAQs

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

You can use "try harder" as an imperative to encourage someone to increase their effort. For example, "If you want to succeed, you need to "try harder"".

What are some alternatives to "try harder"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "exert more effort", "make a greater effort", or "push yourself further".

When is it appropriate to tell someone to "try harder"?

It's appropriate when you believe someone has the potential to improve and is not currently exerting their full effort. However, be mindful of the tone to avoid sounding condescending.

What is the difference between "try harder" and "work harder"?

"Try harder" focuses on increasing effort in a specific attempt or task, while "work harder" suggests a general increase in the amount of work or effort over a period of time.