try to help

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try to help" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing an intention or effort to assist someone or something. Example: "I will try to help you with your project, even though I have a busy schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They try to help out.

The New York Times

I try to help.

Cornell University

We try to help".

The New York Times

"All they did was try to help".

The New York Times

So let me try to help.

The New York Times

You try to help your elderly father.

The New York Times

"We have to try to help her".

The New Yorker

"I try to help our team win.

The New York Times - Sports

I'll try to help you.

The New York Times - Travel

Let me try to help.

The New York Times

Then, they try to help.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "try to help" to convey a sense of willingness and effort, even if the outcome is not guaranteed.

Common error

Avoid simply stating you'll "try to help" without clarifying how. Provide specific actions or steps you'll take to assist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to help" primarily functions as an infinitive phrase expressing intention or willingness to provide assistance. It often introduces a verb that specifies the action one will attempt, as seen in Ludwig examples like "We just try to help facilitate that".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

31%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "try to help" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey an intention or willingness to assist someone. According to Ludwig, it appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in news, media, and general communication. While it's versatile, specifying the method of assistance enhances clarity. Alternatives like "attempt to assist" or "offer assistance" can add nuance, but "try to help" remains a straightforward and widely understood way to express support.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to assist

Emphasizes the effort made to provide help.

endeavor to aid

Highlights a serious or determined effort to help.

make an effort to support

Focuses on the action of providing support.

strive to assist

Indicates a continuous effort to provide help.

seek to help

Suggests an active search for opportunities to help.

aim to assist

Highlights the intention of providing assistance.

offer assistance

Focuses on making help available.

provide support

Emphasizes the provision of resources or aid.

lend a hand

An informal way of offering help.

give assistance

Focuses on the act of giving help.

FAQs

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

You can use "try to help" to express an intention to assist someone, such as, "I will "try to help" you with your homework" or "We should "try to help" those in need".

What are some alternatives to "try to help"?

Alternatives include "attempt to assist", "make an effort to support", or "offer assistance", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "try to help" or "attempt to help"?

Both "try to help" and "attempt to help" are correct, but "try to help" is generally more common and informal. "Attempt to help" can sound more formal or determined.

What does it mean when someone says they will "try to help"?

It typically means they are willing to make an effort to assist you, but there is no guarantee of success. It indicates a willingness to provide support or assistance to the best of their ability.