try my hardest

USAGE SUMMARY

"try my hardest" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you are doing your very best to achieve something. Example sentence: "I'm going to try my hardest to improve my grades this semester."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Did I try my hardest?

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm going to try my hardest.

The New York Times - Sports

I try my hardest to look good.

The New York Times

"I wake up to try my hardest to succeed.

The New York Times

"I really do try my hardest to eat as healthily as possible," Bull says.

The New York Times

"I try my hardest not dwell on it, so I try to focus on my philanthropy".

The Guardian - Tech

Even when I try my hardest not to let them, they cross.

The New York Times

"Whatever players he asks for I will try my hardest to bring to Nottingham Forest.

The Guardian - Sport

I do try my hardest to make them funny," she said.

The Guardian

Of course I'm going to try my hardest to get some more.

The Guardian - Sport

I just give them my word and tell them I'm going to try my hardest to get this out".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you need to express determination in the face of challenges, consider using "try my hardest" to show your unwavering commitment.

Common error

While "try my hardest" is a valid expression, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "give it my all" or "do my utmost" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try my hardest" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an intention to exert maximum effort. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct usage. Examples show it is often used to express a strong commitment to achieve a goal or overcome a challenge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "try my hardest" is a common and generally accepted phrase used to express a strong intention to exert maximum effort. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While grammatically sound, consider context and audience; more formal options like "do my utmost" may be appropriate in professional or academic settings. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the phrase conveys commitment and determination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try my best

A simpler and more common way to express the same intention of putting in effort.

give it my all

Emphasizes complete dedication and effort in a particular instance.

do my utmost

Implies a sense of duty and the highest level of effort possible.

exert maximum effort

Focuses on the physical or mental energy expended.

put my best foot forward

Highlights presenting oneself in the best possible manner from the beginning.

go the extra mile

Suggests exceeding expectations and putting in more effort than required.

leave no stone unturned

Emphasizes thoroughness and a comprehensive approach to problem-solving.

bend over backwards

Implies doing whatever it takes, even if it's difficult or inconvenient.

strain every nerve

Highlights intense mental or physical effort pushed to the limit.

move heaven and earth

Exaggerates the effort, suggesting that one is doing everything humanly possible.

FAQs

How can I use "try my hardest" in a sentence?

You can use "try my hardest" to express your intent to put in maximum effort. For example, "I will "try my hardest" to finish the project on time".

What's a more formal alternative to "try my hardest"?

In formal contexts, consider using "do my utmost". It conveys a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Is "try my hardest" the same as "try my best"?

While similar, "try my hardest" emphasizes a greater intensity of effort compared to "try my best". The choice depends on the level of emphasis you want to convey.

What can I say instead of "try my hardest" to show commitment?

You can also say "give it my all" to show commitment. This phrase suggests you will dedicate all your energy and resources to a task.