try to heal

USAGE SUMMARY

"try to heal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of taking steps to repair a broken relationship, a damaged reputation, or a hurtful situation. For example, "We must try to heal the rift between our nations after years of war."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We try to heal.

The New York Times

Others are more heartfelt: Characters question their sexuality and try to heal relationships.

Princeton University

It hurts me and, like anybody else who gets hurt, you have to try to heal".

Independent

What is it like to try to heal the body when the mind is under attack?

The Guardian

On a return trip, a year and a half later, Mr. Beery asked Mr. Pineda to try to heal him.

The New York Times

"I'm just throwing everything at the shoulder to try to heal as quickly as possible," Puckett said.

The New York Times - Sports

The current government has decided to let time try to heal what words and memorials cannot yet salve.

The New York Times

You try to heal it yourself, but people keep asking you to lift things like your arm isn't broken.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Bush seems aware of the differences within his core constituency and eager to try to heal them.

The New York Times

For such functional GI disorders, it is difficult to try to heal a distressed gut without considering the role of stress and emotion.

Harvard University

Outside commentators have criticized what they regard as the folly of Europe's leaders in relying almost exclusively on austerity measures to try to heal their broken economies.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "try to heal" when you want to convey effort and intention in the process of recovery, whether it's physical, emotional, or relational. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being healed.

Common error

While acceptable, "try to heal" can sometimes sound less formal. In highly formal or scientific writing, consider stronger verbs like 'restore', 'rehabilitate', or 'rectify' depending on the specific context to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to heal" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used after a verb to express purpose or intention. It indicates an effort to restore something to a healthy or sound state, whether physical, emotional, or relational. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

18%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "try to heal" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that conveys an intention to restore, recover, or improve a situation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for diverse contexts, including news, academic writing, and general communication. While considered neutral in register, more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain academic or scientific contexts. Given its prevalent usage and clear meaning, "try to heal" remains a versatile and effective expression for indicating efforts toward recovery and reconciliation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to mend

Focuses on repairing something that is broken, whether physical or metaphorical.

seek to recover

Emphasizes the act of finding or regaining something lost, like health or peace.

work towards recovery

Highlights the effort and process involved in healing.

strive for reconciliation

Specifically aims at restoring friendly relations.

make an effort to improve

Suggests a general attempt to make something better, which can include healing.

aim to resolve

Focuses on finding a solution to a problem, which could lead to healing.

take steps to ameliorate

Implies actions taken to alleviate or improve a negative situation.

undertake to restore

Highlights a commitment to bringing something back to a former condition.

endeavor to fix

Suggests a determined attempt to repair or correct something.

initiate a healing process

Emphasizes starting the actions that will promote healing.

FAQs

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

You can use "try to heal" to describe efforts to recover from emotional wounds, physical injuries, or damaged relationships. For example, "After the argument, they decided to "try to heal" their relationship."

What are some alternatives to "try to heal"?

Some alternatives include "attempt to mend", "seek to recover", or "work towards recovery" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "try to heal" in writing?

"Try to heal" is appropriate in various contexts, from describing personal recovery to international relations. However, consider your audience and the formality of the situation. A phrase like "strive for reconciliation" might be more suitable for formal speeches.

Is "try to heal" too informal for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, "try to heal" might be considered less formal. In academic contexts, you might opt for phrases like "undertake to restore" or "take steps to ameliorate" for a more scholarly tone.