try to foster

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try to foster" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express an effort to encourage or promote a particular quality, behavior, or relationship. Example: "We should try to foster a culture of collaboration within our team to enhance productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tell me about the culture you try to foster.

The New York Times

Communities instead try to foster a spirit of bayanihan, a tradition of helping out your neighbour.

The Guardian

Across Germany Bundesliga clubs have launched a range of schemes to try to foster understanding.

The Guardian - Sport

"We can try to foster an industry standard, but we can't force it".

The New York Times

And I was convinced that the creative environment we try to foster would allow him to thrive.

The New York Times - Magazine

Duckworth's research convinced Levin and Randolph that they should try to foster self-control and grit in their students.

The New York Times - Magazine

It runs exactly counter to the "can do" culture most leadership teams try to foster when implementing strategy.

Harvard Business Review

Mr. Underwood adapted the idea from a Swiss sociologist, Bernard Crettaz, who had organized "café mortels" to try to foster more open discussions of death.

The New York Times

It was right to try to foster liberty and security, by attacking al-Qaeda and seeking to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The Economist

Under normal circumstances, governments try to foster competition among banks, in the hope of spurring the economy by making it cheaper to borrow.

The Economist

They can try to foster good relations between local government and local tycoons, and to reduce antagonisms with the suburbs, as Chicago has done.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "try to foster" when you want to express an intention to encourage or develop something gradually, recognizing that success isn't guaranteed. It suggests a supportive and facilitative approach, rather than a forceful or directive one.

Common error

While "try to foster" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal writing. Opt for stronger verbs like "cultivate", "promote", or "establish" to convey a more authoritative tone. Always adjust based on the context of your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to foster" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a larger predicate. It expresses an intention or attempt to encourage the development or growth of something. Ludwig AI confirms this aligns with common English usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "try to foster" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe an intentional effort to encourage or develop something. As shown by Ludwig, its versatility allows it to be used across diverse contexts, ranging from formal business settings to news reports. While generally appropriate, careful consideration of context and desired tone is essential, as stronger alternatives may be more suitable for highly formal writing. Ludwig AI underscores its relevance in contemporary English, suggesting it remains a valuable tool for expressing a commitment to growth and development.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make an effort to encourage

Stresses the conscious exertion of energy to provide support or motivation.

take steps to promote

Emphasizes the deliberate actions taken to advance a particular goal or agenda.

aim to encourage

Focuses on inspiring or giving someone the confidence to do something.

attempt to cultivate

Emphasizes the effort involved in nurturing or developing something over time.

seek to promote

Highlights a proactive and intentional effort to advance a particular cause or idea.

work to develop

Highlights the active effort involved in improving or expanding something.

undertake to cultivate

Suggests a formal commitment to developing or refining something.

strive to nurture

Implies a dedicated and caring approach to helping something grow and thrive.

endeavor to instill

Focuses on planting or establishing a particular value or belief in someone.

aspire to generate

Focuses on the ambition to create or produce something.

FAQs

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

You can use "try to foster" to indicate an attempt to encourage or develop something. For example, "We should "try to foster" a culture of collaboration within the team."

What are some alternatives to "try to foster"?

Some alternatives include "attempt to cultivate", "seek to promote", or "aim to encourage", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "try to foster" or "foster"?

"Try to foster" implies an ongoing effort, while "foster" suggests a more direct and potentially immediate action. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the process or the result.

What's the difference between "try to foster" and "try to encourage"?

"Try to foster" suggests creating an environment where something can grow, while "try to encourage" focuses on giving someone confidence or motivation. "Try to foster" is about long-term development; "try to encourage" is about immediate support.