try to answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try to answer" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is attempting to provide a response or solution to a question or problem. Example: "Please try to answer the following questions to the best of your ability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They try to answer questions.

The Guardian

They try to answer questions openly.

The Economist

I'll try to answer that question.

The New York Times

Miss Tomkins didn't even try to answer.

The New Yorker

On Tuesday, Zynga will try to answer that question.

The New York Times - Tech

If someone has a question, I'll try to answer.

The New York Times

But I promised to try to answer them.

The New York Times

We'll try to answer as many questions as possible.

The New Yorker

Again and again, Burson's scripts try to answer that question.

The New York Times

We'll try to answer as many as possible.

The New Yorker

That is the question this survey will try to answer.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "try to answer" in formal writing, consider more sophisticated alternatives like "endeavor to answer" or "seek to respond" to enhance the professional tone.

Common error

While grammatically correct, repeatedly using "try to answer" can make your writing sound less polished. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "attempt to respond" or "address the issue" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to answer" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically serving as part of a verb phrase. It indicates an intention or attempt to provide a response to a question or address a problem. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

37%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "try to answer" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that indicates an attempt to respond to a question or address a problem. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across diverse contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the register and opt for more formal alternatives like "endeavor to answer" or "attempt to respond" in professional settings. As demonstrated by the variety of examples provided by Ludwig, it's most frequently used in News & Media and Science, suggesting its broad applicability and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to respond

Focuses on the act of responding rather than just answering, suggesting a more detailed or comprehensive reply. Includes the word 'attempt', which is very close in meaning to 'try'.

make an effort to reply

Emphasizes the effort involved in giving a response, implying that the answer might require some work or thought.

endeavor to answer

A more formal way of saying "try to answer", suitable for professional settings.

do my best to respond

Highlights the speaker's commitment to providing the best possible answer, even if it's not perfect.

give an answer

Simply focuses on providing an answer, without necessarily implying difficulty or effort. Drops the 'try'.

seek to provide a response

Implies a proactive effort to give a response. Slightly more formal.

take a stab at answering

Suggests an attempt to answer, possibly without full confidence or certainty in the response. More informal.

have a go at answering

British English equivalent of "take a stab at answering", indicating an informal attempt.

take on the question

Focuses on engaging with the question itself, rather than simply providing an answer. Sounds more proactive.

address the issue

Broadens the scope to tackling a problem or concern, which may involve answering questions.

FAQs

How can I use "try to answer" in a sentence?

You can use "try to answer" to indicate an attempt to respond to a question or solve a problem, as in "I will "do my best to answer" your question" or "We need to "try to address" these concerns".

What's a more formal alternative to "try to answer"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "endeavor to respond", "seek to answer", or "attempt to address". These options convey a similar meaning with a higher degree of formality.

Is it correct to say "try and answer" instead of "try to answer"?

While "try and answer" is sometimes used informally, "try to answer" is generally considered more grammatically correct in formal writing. Using "try to" maintains a clearer and more precise construction.

What's the difference between "try to answer" and "attempt to answer"?

The phrases "try to answer" and "attempt to answer" are largely interchangeable. Both indicate an effort to provide a response, but "attempt to answer" may slightly emphasize the potential difficulty or uncertainty of success.