try their hardest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try their hardest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the idea of putting in maximum effort towards a task or goal. Example: "In the final match, the players tried their hardest to secure a victory for their team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Sportsmen try their hardest to win.

The Guardian - Opinion

They try their hardest, only to fail miserably.

University of California, Berkeley

They try their hardest not to leave anything to chance.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Peyton Manning reportedly gave an impassioned speech imploring players from both rosters to try their hardest.

The Guardian - Sport

You would think that healthcare organisations would try their hardest to protect that information and yet they are constantly in the headlines following leaks and successful cyber-attacks.

Network Security

Third, referees try their hardest to accurately and consistently establish the 10 yards between the ball and the defensive wall.

The New York Times

Goldstein is a talented storyteller, and we root for her characters as, moment by moment, they try their hardest.

The New Yorker

Big museums in Philadelphia, Boston and especially New York, the country's most expensive, should shake off their sense of incurious entitlement and try their hardest in this regard.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The Taliban are trying their hardest to block the election.

The New York Times

The estate owners tried their hardest to crush them.

The Guardian

They were trying their hardest, Ackerman said, but they were absolutely exhausted.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "try their hardest" to convey a sense of earnest effort and dedication, particularly when describing actions aimed at achieving a specific goal. It's effective in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overusing "try their hardest" in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for phrases like "exert maximum effort" or "make every effort" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try their hardest" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of exerting maximum effort. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage across various contexts, conveying a sense of dedication and determination. It describes the act of attempting something with the greatest possible effort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

12%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "try their hardest" is a common and grammatically correct way to express maximum effort and dedication. Ludwig AI confirms that it's widely used across different contexts, especially in news and media. While versatile, it is important to consider formality and choose alternatives like "exert maximum effort" in technical writing. Whether encouraging a team, describing a personal effort, or reporting on an event, "try their hardest" effectively conveys a commitment to achieving the best possible outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give it their all

Focuses on complete effort and commitment; slightly more emphatic than the original phrase.

make every effort

A more straightforward and less emphatic way of expressing effort.

do their best

A more general term, implying a good effort but not necessarily the absolute maximum.

do all they can

Similar to "do their best", suggesting a comprehensive but not necessarily exhaustive effort.

exert maximum effort

More formal and emphasizes the physical or mental exertion involved.

put their heart and soul into it

Emphasizes emotional investment and passion, suggesting deep commitment.

go the extra mile

Implies exceeding expectations and putting in more effort than required.

leave no stone unturned

Indicates a thorough and exhaustive effort, exploring all possibilities.

push themselves to the limit

Highlights the personal challenge and physical or mental boundaries being tested.

strain every nerve

Highlights the intensity and stress of the effort, suggesting pushing oneself to the limit.

FAQs

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

You can use "try their hardest" to describe someone making a significant effort. For example, "The team will "try their hardest" to win the championship."

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

In formal writing, consider using phrases like "exert maximum effort" or "make every effort" as alternatives to "try their hardest".

What's the difference between "do their best" and "try their hardest"?

"Do their best" implies a good effort, while "try their hardest" suggests an all-out, maximum effort. The latter conveys a greater sense of intensity and commitment.

When is it appropriate to use "try their hardest" in writing?

It's appropriate in most contexts, from casual conversation to news reports, as it's a common and easily understood phrase. However, avoid it in very technical documents, and choose more formal alternatives like make every effort.