Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

try to found

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try to found" is not correct in English.
The correct form would be "try to found" should be "try to find." You can use "try to find" when you are attempting to locate or discover something. Example: "I will try to find the book you mentioned in our last meeting."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He might try to found a new party of the moderate left, some think, though that would be an awkward thing to manage if his wife were head of state.Political insiders disagree over whether Leszek Miller, the prime minister and SLD leader, can hold on to power until the next general election, which is due in 2005.

News & Media

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

We try to find solutions".

I try to find analogies.

News & Media

The New Yorker

We try to find value.

Or you try to find another carrier.

News & Media

The Economist

Why? I'll try to find out.

News & Media

Independent

— I try to find more colors.

Try to find the birth parents?

News & Media

The New York Times

We try to find the documentation".

News & Media

The New York Times

I try to find the human being".

Do you try to find bargains?

News & Media

Forbes
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to express an attempt to locate something, use "try to find" instead of "try to found". Founding refers to establishing or creating something, while finding refers to locating something that already exists.

Common error

Avoid using "try to found" when you mean "try to find". "Found" implies establishing something new, not locating something pre-existing. Double-check your verb choice to ensure it accurately reflects your intended meaning.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

78%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to found" is intended to function as a verb phrase, expressing an attempt to establish or create something. However, as noted by Ludwig, the correct phrasing for expressing the attempt to locate something is "try to find."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

50%

News & Media

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "try to found" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights that the correct phrase for expressing an attempt to locate something is "try to find". The intended meaning behind "try to found" is to convey an effort to establish something new. When aiming to express this, it's more appropriate to use phrases like "attempt to establish" or "aim to create". While the phrase appears in various contexts, it's essential to use the correct wording for clarity and grammatical accuracy.

FAQs

What's the difference between "try to found" and "try to find"?

"Try to found" implies an attempt to establish or create something, like a company or organization. "Try to find" means attempting to locate something that already exists.

Is "try to found" grammatically correct?

No, "try to found" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in modern English. The correct phrase to use when attempting to locate something is "try to find".

What can I say instead of "try to found" if I mean 'attempt to establish'?

If you mean 'attempt to establish', you can use alternatives like "attempt to establish", "seek to establish", or "aim to establish" depending on the context.

How can I remember the difference between 'find' and 'found'?

"Find" means to locate something. "Found" means to establish or create something. Think of "founding" a company – you're establishing it. If you're looking for something that exists, you're trying to "try to find" it.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

78%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: