try to ask

USAGE SUMMARY

"try to ask" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use "try to ask" when you are offering advice for someone to ask a question or make an inquiry. For example: "If you don't understand, try to ask your teacher for clarification."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I didn't try to ask for more".

The New Yorker

We try to ask: How's their day?

The New Yorker

Try to ask at least one month before the deadline!

Columbia University

"But if we do not, we try to ask him".

The New York Times

A lot of people try to ask me political questions.

The Guardian - Film

I also try to ask questions that get at cultural fit.

The New York Times

De Gea seemed to try to ask Suárez to shake Evra's hand, and he again refused.

The New York Times - Sports

When I'm hiring, I always check references and I always try to ask those questions.

The New York Times

So I try to ask questions about how they handle adversity.

The New York Times

You try to ask a demon a question, but he just looks at you.

The New Yorker

But it happens too fast for me to try to ask actual questions of my dad.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone, use "try to ask" to encourage them to seek clarification or information actively. For instance, "If you're unsure about the instructions, try to ask your supervisor."

Common error

In formal or professional contexts, avoid overusing "try to ask". Opt for more direct and assertive phrasing such as "inquire", "request", or "question" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to ask" primarily functions as an infinitive phrase, often used to express an attempt or effort to seek information through questioning. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "try to ask" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that serves to advise or encourage questioning. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, though more formal alternatives may be preferred in professional or academic settings. With a neutral register and frequent occurrence in news, media, and academic sources, "try to ask" is a versatile phrase for suggesting an active approach to seeking information. When writing it's important to remember contexts of use to avoid being too informal where it is not appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give asking a try

Similar to 'try to ask' but emphasizes the experiment aspect.

try questioning

Slightly more direct, focusing on the act of questioning itself.

make an effort to ask

Highlights the exertion required to pose a question, especially in a difficult situation.

aim to ask

Emphasizes the intention behind asking a question.

attempt to inquire

Focuses on the effort of making a formal inquiry, differing slightly in tone from a simple question.

have a go at asking

An informal way of saying 'try to ask', common in British English.

seek to question

Suggests a purposeful attempt to get information.

endeavor to question

Implies a more deliberate and thoughtful attempt to ask something.

venture to ask

Suggests some hesitation or risk in posing the question.

take a stab at asking

Indicates an informal attempt to ask, often when unsure of the outcome.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "try to ask" in a more formal way?

In formal settings, you can substitute "try to ask" with more professional alternatives like "attempt to inquire", "seek to question", or "endeavor to question".

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

"Try to ask" suggests a general effort to pose a question, while "attempt to ask" implies a more deliberate and potentially challenging effort. The nuance depends on the context, but they are often interchangeable.

Is it ever incorrect to use "try to ask"?

While generally correct, "try to ask" might sound too informal in highly professional or academic writing. Consider stronger verbs like "inquire" or "question" for a more authoritative tone.

When is "try to ask" most appropriate?

"Try to ask" is suitable in everyday conversation, instructional content, or when offering encouragement. It conveys a sense of helpful advice or a gentle suggestion to seek information.