try to establish

USAGE SUMMARY

"try to establish" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it in a sentence like: Our goal is to try to establish a prosperous economy in our region.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Second, try to establish basic security.

The New York Times

"I try to establish my fastball inside.

The New York Times - Sports

First, South should try to establish a diamond trick.

The New York Times - Arts

The Dolphins will surely try to establish the run.

The New York Times - Sports

Occasionally, new spots try to establish themselves as jazz destinations.

The New York Times

"In the end, there's an imperative to try to establish engagement," a senior American official said.

The New York Times

Try to establish connections with people in your chosen career areas.

The Guardian

Together, they went to two Paterson social clubs to try to establish an alibi, prosecutors said.

The New York Times

"We are talking to Google to try to establish why this is the case.

The Guardian - Tech

"As a result, employers will want to try to establish bulletproof selection criteria".

The New York Times

"I thought they would try to establish the run first," Vikings safety Robert Griffith said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional writing, consider stronger alternatives depending on the context, such as "seek to institute" or "aim to build", to convey precision and formality.

Common error

Avoid using "try to establish" when a more direct verb would be appropriate. For example, instead of "try to establish better communication", consider "improve communication" for a more concise and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to establish" primarily functions as an infinitive phrase, expressing an intention or attempt. It modifies a verb, indicating the purpose of an action. As evidenced by Ludwig, it highlights the endeavor to create, prove, or institute something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "try to establish" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that conveys an intention or attempt to create, prove, or set up something. According to Ludwig, this phrase finds its place across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific research and even informal wikis. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, it's essential to consider stronger alternatives in formal or professional settings for enhanced precision. When employing "try to establish", ensure you clearly define what is being established and why, which adds clarity and purpose to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to create

Focuses on the act of creating something new, differing slightly from simply establishing something already in existence.

seek to institute

Emphasizes the formal or official nature of setting something up, unlike the more general "establish".

aim to build

Highlights the progressive development and construction aspect, different from a one-time establishment.

strive to form

Conveys a sense of effort and determination in the process of forming something.

endeavor to set up

Implies a more practical and hands-on approach to getting something started or organized.

work to develop

Focuses on the gradual growth and refinement of something over time.

make an effort to found

Highlights the intentional act of starting an organization or institution.

undertake to initiate

Suggests a formal commitment to beginning a process or project.

try to secure

Emphasizes the act of gaining or protecting something, rather than establishing it.

try to prove

Focuses on demonstrating the truth or validity of something, unlike simply establishing its existence.

FAQs

What does "try to establish" mean?

The phrase "try to establish" means to make an attempt to create, prove, or set up something, such as a system, relationship, or fact. It indicates an effort to bring something into existence or to validate it.

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

You can use "try to establish" in a sentence to express an intention to create or prove something, for example: "The scientists will try to establish a link between the new virus and the reported symptoms."

What are some alternatives to "try to establish"?

Alternatives to "try to establish" include phrases like "attempt to create", "seek to institute", or "aim to build", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it better to use "establish" instead of "try to establish"?

Use "establish" when you are confident that something can be or has been created or proven. Use "try to establish" when there is uncertainty or an ongoing effort involved.