try to be nice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try to be nice" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when encouraging someone to exhibit kindness or politeness in their behavior or interactions. Example: "Even if you're frustrated, remember to try to be nice to your colleagues during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Unless you really try to be nice to them and treat them as human beings, you won't get anywhere".

The New Yorker

"People try to be nice".

The New York Times

And try to be nice.

The Guardian - Books

He doesn't try to be nice.

The Guardian - Music

Try to be nice to one another.

The Guardian

We should try to be nice to our grandparents.

Independent

Sometimes reviewers bend over backwards to try to be nice.

The Guardian - Books

I try to be nice but I don't go beyond that".

The New York Times

"What?" "'We both just try to be nice and do our best.'" They don't even drink.

The Guardian

"Why don't we all try to be nice to each other, O.K.?" the mayor replied.

The New York Times

She sees people for what they are and doesn't try to be nice so they'll like her.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering advice, use "try to be nice" to encourage a positive and constructive approach, especially in situations where emotions might be running high.

Common error

Don't equate being nice with being a pushover. You can "try to be nice" while still setting boundaries and asserting your needs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to be nice" functions as an imperative, typically used to advise, encourage, or request someone to adopt a kind or pleasant demeanor. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

44%

News & Media

40%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "try to be nice" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to encourage kindness and consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad usability. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from casual advice to more formal recommendations. While frequently found in how-to guides and news media, the phrase's essence lies in promoting positive interactions and fostering harmonious relationships, and as such "endeavor to be kind" and "attempt to be compassionate" represent valid alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to be compassionate

Emphasizes the aspect of showing empathy and understanding towards others.

endeavor to be kind

Replaces "try" with "endeavor", suggesting a more committed effort towards kindness.

resolve to be benevolent

Indicates a firm decision to act in a kind and generous manner.

aim to be considerate

Focuses on the aspect of being thoughtful and attentive to others' needs.

make an effort to be pleasant

Substitutes "nice" with "pleasant", focusing on creating a positive interaction.

seek to be agreeable

Highlights the intention of being cooperative and easy to get along with.

strive for amiability

Uses a more formal tone, replacing "try to be nice" with a goal-oriented expression of friendliness.

aspire to be gracious

Implies a desire to be elegant and courteous in behavior.

be inclined to be gentle

Suggests a natural tendency towards mildness and tenderness in interactions.

work at being good-natured

Highlights the effort involved in maintaining a positive and friendly disposition.

FAQs

How can I use "try to be nice" in a sentence?

You can use "try to be nice" to encourage someone to be kind, for example: "Even when you disagree, always "try to be nice"".

What's a more formal way to say "try to be nice"?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "endeavor to be kind" or "strive for amiability".

What's the difference between "try to be nice" and "be nice"?

"Try to be nice" suggests an effort, while "be nice" is a direct imperative. The former acknowledges potential difficulty and encourages effort, while the latter is a simple command.

Is it always appropriate to "try to be nice"?

While generally beneficial, there may be situations where directness or assertiveness is more appropriate. However, even in those cases, "try to be considerate" of the other person's feelings.