try to bolster

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try to bolster" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express an effort to strengthen or support something, such as an argument, position, or feeling. Example: "In her speech, she tried to bolster her claims with statistical evidence to make them more convincing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

House Republicans try to bolster small-business exports.

The New York Times

Over the years, some producers have financed scientific studies to try to bolster performance claims.

The New York Times - Health

A separate effort will try to bolster fund-raising for state parties.

The New York Times

Partners III holds larger companies and can use debt and short-selling to try to bolster its results.

The New York Times

Mr Heinapuu and his colleagues try to bolster their kinsfolk's language and culture and highlight Russian chauvinism.

The Economist

Mayor Bloomberg, who is not known for being much of a sports fan, did try to bolster enthusiasm.

The New York Times

And, as analysts try to bolster the case for continued incarceration, they record years of detainees' comments about one another.

The New York Times

One way is to try to bolster creative firepower by assembling a cadre of well-known, award-winning senior executives.

The New York Times

The more their mediocrity is exposed, the harder they will try to bolster their cause with appeals to patriotic duty.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Fuld is meeting with Lehman's managing directors in New York and London to try to bolster spirits.

The New York Times

Before his client's testimony, Mr. Di Chiara yesterday called witnesses to try to bolster Mr. Fortunato's defense.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and formality of your writing. While "try to bolster" is generally acceptable, more formal contexts may benefit from alternatives such as "endeavor to reinforce" or "seek to strengthen".

Common error

While acceptable, using "try to bolster" in casual conversation or informal writing may sound overly formal. Simpler alternatives like "try to support" or "try to strengthen" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to bolster" functions as an infinitive phrase, often acting as part of a verb phrase to express an attempt or effort. It indicates an intention to strengthen or support something, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "try to bolster" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys the intent to strengthen or support something. According to Ludwig, it is considered correct and usable in written English. While suitable for various contexts, it's particularly prevalent in news and media. When aiming for a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "seek to strengthen" or "endeavor to reinforce". Always ensure clarity in specifying what you are attempting to reinforce.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to reinforce

Replaces "bolster" with "reinforce", emphasizing the act of strengthening something that already exists.

seek to strengthen

Uses "seek to" instead of "try to", which may imply a more determined or purposeful effort.

aim to fortify

Substitutes "bolster" with "fortify", suggesting an effort to make something more resistant to attack or weakening.

endeavor to support

Replaces "try" with "endeavor", indicating a more formal and earnest attempt, and uses "support" as a synonym for "bolster".

strive to augment

Uses "strive" to convey a diligent effort, and "augment" to suggest increasing the size or value of something.

work to enhance

Replaces "try to bolster" with a more general effort to improve something.

make an effort to reinforce

Emphasizes the action of making an effort to reinforce, adding a layer of intention.

take steps to improve

Focuses on the actions taken rather than the direct act of bolstering, suggesting a process.

look to shore up

Uses the phrasal verb "shore up", which is a more colloquial synonym for "bolster", implying providing support to prevent collapse.

move to consolidate

Shifts the focus to consolidating, implying making something stronger and more secure, often in a strategic sense.

FAQs

What does "try to bolster" mean?

The phrase "try to bolster" means to attempt to strengthen or support something. It suggests an effort to improve or reinforce an existing position, argument, or situation.

What can I say instead of "try to bolster"?

You can use alternatives like "attempt to reinforce", "seek to strengthen", or "aim to fortify" depending on the context.

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

Here's an example: "The government is implementing new policies to "try to bolster" the economy." You can also say, "The lawyer will "try to bolster" his client's defense with new evidence."

Is "try to bolster" formal or informal?

"Try to bolster" is generally considered neutral in tone. However, for highly formal contexts, you might consider alternatives like "endeavor to support" or "strive to augment".