try something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when suggesting that someone experiment with or attempt a new activity, idea, or approach. Example: "If you're feeling adventurous, why not try something new for dinner tonight?"

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let's try something else.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

They try something else.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Try something smaller.

The New Yorker

Try something out.

The New York Times

I'll try something else.

The Guardian - Opinion

We'll try something different.

Harvard Business Review

Let's try something different.

The Guardian

Try something tropical.

The Guardian - Travel

He'll try something now.

The New York Times - Arts

Try something with fish.

The New York Times - Travel

You try something else.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When encouraging someone to be creative, use "try something" to suggest exploring new and unconventional approaches. For example, "If you're stuck, try something unexpected to break the impasse."

Common error

Avoid using "try something" as a generic suggestion without specifying what exactly to try. Instead, provide a clear direction or specific action to make the suggestion more effective. For example, instead of saying "Just try something", say "Try a different angle" or "Try a new software tool".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try something" functions as an imperative expression, often used to encourage experimentation, exploration, or a change in approach. Ludwig examples show its versatility in various contexts. It serves to suggest action and initiative.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

23%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "try something" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to encourage experimentation and new approaches. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usability across various contexts, from academia to news and media. When using "try something", it is important to provide adequate context to avoid vagueness. Consider alternatives like "give it a shot" or "experiment with an idea" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "try something" to inspire action and creativity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give it a shot

This alternative is more informal and suggests a brief attempt.

attempt an action

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the deliberate nature of the attempt.

experiment with an idea

This alternative focuses on testing or exploring a new concept.

take a stab at it

This alternative is an informal idiom suggesting a tentative effort.

undertake a task

This alternative emphasizes the commitment and seriousness of the endeavor.

give something a whirl

This alternative suggests trying something in a casual and exploratory way.

venture into something

This alternative highlights the aspect of risk or uncertainty in trying something new.

make an effort

This alternative focuses on the exertion of energy to achieve something.

have a go at something

This alternative is a more colloquial expression for trying something.

explore a possibility

This alternative emphasizes the investigative nature of trying something new.

FAQs

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

You can use "try something" to suggest an attempt or experiment, as in "If that doesn't work, "try something else"" or "Why don't you "try something new"?"

What can I say instead of "try something"?

You can use alternatives like "give it a shot", "attempt an action", or "experiment with an idea" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "try something" or "try to do something"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Try something" suggests experimenting with a thing or activity, while "try to do something" indicates an attempt to achieve a specific goal. For example, "Try something new" versus "Try to finish the project today".

What's the difference between "try something" and "test something"?

"Try something" implies an exploratory attempt, while "test something" suggests a more formal and structured evaluation to determine its effectiveness or qualities. You might "try something" when you're brainstorming ideas, but you'd "test something" in a scientific experiment.