try harder for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try harder for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when encouraging someone to put in more effort towards a specific goal or outcome. Example: "If you want to succeed in this competition, you need to try harder for the next round."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

HuffPost

BBC

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Please try harder for Alan.

The Guardian - Sport

"Maybe I should try harder for those that didn't vote for me," he said, chuckling.

The New York Times

By‐now, though, it's obvious that horses learn to try harder for Jerkens.

The New York Times

Frankly, this conspiracy needs to try harder – for any hope of traction they need to get at least Oliver Stone on board.

The Guardian - Sport

His agency, Doyle Dane Bernbach, created the "Lemon" and "Think Small" ads for Volkswagen, "You don't have to be Jewish to love Levy's real Jewish rye" and "We try harder" for Avis.

The New York Times - Arts

I should say that this isn't a verdict of "must try harder" for those few hardy and admirable distributors making it their business to release foreign-language cinema – companies that survive even in better financial times on bitten nails and tiny profit margins.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It is certain that he would try hard, for no one has tried harder throughout a successful career.

The Guardian - Sport

But in the interim, when the government itself hires the private contractors, it will try hard for better performance, perhaps by looking elsewhere.

The New York Times - Travel

Though the satiric point of making some of the plutocrats monsters out of an eighteenth-century farce eludes me, the actors try hard for vulgar panache, and they perform with professional skill.

The New Yorker

"It's credit to these players that they keep going and try hard for the club and each other".

BBC

I will try hard for him.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When encouraging someone to improve, specify the area they need to focus on. For example, instead of just saying "try harder for the team", say "try harder for the team by improving your communication".

Common error

While "try harder for" is acceptable in general writing, it can sound too informal in professional or academic settings. Opt for phrases like "strive more diligently for" or "dedicate increased effort to" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try harder for" functions as an imperative, urging someone to increase their effort or dedication toward a specific goal or person. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in contexts ranging from personal encouragement to professional expectations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

HuffPost

20%

BBC

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "try harder for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to encourage increased effort towards a specific goal. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, highlighting its presence in various contexts, particularly news and media. While generally acceptable, it's best to consider the formality of the setting and opt for more professional alternatives in academic or business environments. Remember to be specific when offering encouragement to ensure the recipient understands where their efforts should be focused.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

work harder for

A simple and direct way of urging increased effort, suitable for informal settings.

strive harder for

Implies a determined and sustained effort, suitable for long-term goals and ambitions.

put in more effort for

A straightforward alternative focusing on the amount of work invested.

exert more effort for

Emphasizes the physical or mental energy expended, making it suitable when the effort involves overcoming obstacles.

make a greater effort for

A more formal and general way of asking for increased effort, suitable for any context.

dedicate more energy to

Highlights the commitment of time and resources, often used in professional or academic settings.

push oneself more for

Focuses on the individual's personal effort and overcoming their own limitations.

give it your all for

Emphasizes complete dedication and maximum effort, often used in motivational contexts.

go the extra mile for

Suggests exceeding expectations and putting in additional effort beyond what is required.

dig deeper for

Suggests finding hidden reserves of strength and determination, often used when facing challenges.

FAQs

What does "try harder for" mean?

The phrase "try harder for" means to make a greater effort or put in more work to achieve something, often for the benefit of someone or something else.

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

You can use "try harder for" in a sentence when you want to encourage someone to put in more effort towards a goal. For example: "Please "try harder for Alan"" or "Maybe I should "try harder for those" that didn't vote for me".

What are some alternatives to "try harder for"?

Some alternatives to "try harder for" include "exert more effort for", "dedicate more energy to", or "strive harder for", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "try harder for"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "try harder for". The phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is widely used in various contexts.