try to demonstrate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try to demonstrate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express an attempt to show or prove something through examples or evidence. Example: "In this experiment, I will try to demonstrate the effects of temperature on the rate of a chemical reaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That is what we are going to try to demonstrate to the federal court".

The New York Times

Kropotkin used science and history to try to demonstrate that anarchism is not foolishly optimistic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We should try to demonstrate the falsity of horrendous ideas — e.g., the false nature of Islamism.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, his middle-aged son and other apprentices try to demonstrate, to no avail, a similar dedication to perfection.

The New Yorker

Mr. Campriello showed her agendas from several company events to try to demonstrate that the Sardinia trip was no different.

The New York Times

"The poncey way some curators try to demonstrate their 'vision' by highlighting connections gives me the collywobbles".

The Guardian - Arts

"It is not easy but we must try to demonstrate why we are fighting for the title.

Independent

"This is the way for the Spanish to try to demonstrate their support for the war on terrorism," said Admiral Morena, the commander of Task Force 150.

The New York Times

"It's a challenge to remain respectful and at the same time try to demonstrate the importance of follow-through," Ms. Hernandez said.

The New York Times

It also buys time for the company's founder, H. Christopher Whittle, to try to demonstrate that public schools can be operated at a profit.

The New York Times

State Department officials said Mr. Powell wanted to use the visit to try to demonstrate the Bush administration's interest in Latin America.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, specify the method or approach you're using to demonstrate something, e.g., "try to demonstrate statistically" or "try to demonstrate through case studies."

Common error

Avoid phrasing that suggests you've definitively proven something when you've only "tried to demonstrate" it. It's important to acknowledge the possibility of alternative interpretations or limitations in your demonstration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to demonstrate" functions primarily as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the intent or goal behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

37%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "try to demonstrate" is a versatile expression used to indicate an attempt to provide evidence or reasoning for a claim. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and appropriate for many contexts. Predominantly found in news and scientific sources, the phrase appears with high frequency, signaling its widespread acceptance and utility. When using "try to demonstrate", clarity and appropriate caution about overstating your claims are important. Consider related phrases like "attempt to prove" or "aim to illustrate" for nuanced expression. Remember to balance formality based on your target context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to prove

Emphasizes the effort made towards verification or confirmation.

try to evidence

Similar meaning, but uses "evidence" as a verb, indicating an attempt to provide evidence.

seek to establish

Highlights the intent to firmly set up or validate an idea or concept.

aim to illustrate

Focuses on providing a clear example or visual representation.

try to substantiate

Focuses on providing evidence to support the truth of something.

strive to evidence

Underlines the exertion to provide factual support or justification.

endeavor to showcase

Suggests an effort to display or highlight specific qualities or features.

make an effort to validate

Stresses the attempt to confirm or justify something's accuracy or worth.

undertake to verify

Implies a commitment to confirm the truth or accuracy of something.

work towards confirming

Indicates ongoing effort to reinforce or establish something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "try to demonstrate" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "seek to establish", "endeavor to showcase", or "aim to illustrate".

What is the difference between "try to demonstrate" and "demonstrate"?

"Try to demonstrate" indicates an attempt or effort to show something, while "demonstrate" implies that the showing or proving has been successfully achieved. If the result is uncertain, use "try to demonstrate"; if the result is definitive, use "demonstrate".

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

While "try and" is sometimes used colloquially, "try to demonstrate" is grammatically preferred, especially in formal writing. The latter clearly expresses the intention to show or prove something.

In what contexts is "try to demonstrate" most appropriate?

The phrase "try to demonstrate" is suitable in various contexts, including academic papers, news articles, and business reports. It's especially useful when you're presenting evidence or arguments but haven't reached a definitive conclusion.