try to locate

USAGE SUMMARY

"try to locate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to an effort to find something or someone. For example, "We need to try to locate the missing puzzle piece."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To ensure privacy, your location is also automatically shared with the friends you try to locate.

TechCrunch

They asked Charlie to try to locate it.

The New Yorker

As I try to locate Denmark Street, the sound of drilling and demolition assaults my ears.

The Guardian

A call center was set up to help me try to locate my husband.

The New York Times

They are using sniffer dogs and fibre optic cameras to try to locate the missing victims.

The Guardian

The HPA had a difficult task to try to locate the source of the infection.

The Guardian - Opinion

Perhaps that was why any reasonable person would try to locate a family root or two.

The New Yorker

"When they try to locate their size store in Nassau County, it is impossible.

The New York Times

Many will try to locate the computer when it is connected to the Internet.

The New York Times - Tech

American attack submarines also try to locate them up at some point.

The New York Times

If you have a bug, you have to try to locate it.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the level of formality required by your audience; "try to locate" is generally acceptable in most contexts, but more formal situations may benefit from alternatives like "attempt to find" or "endeavor to detect".

Common error

While "try to locate" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal documents. Opt for stronger verbs like "ascertain", "determine", or "discover" to lend a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to locate" serves as an infinitive phrase expressing the purpose or intention of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, reflecting its ability to link an effort with a specific goal of finding something or someone. It functions to indicate a directed action aimed at discovering a specific item or person.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "try to locate" is a versatile phrase used to describe the act of attempting to find something or someone. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and common across various contexts, especially in news and media, wiki, and academic settings. While the phrase is broadly acceptable, more formal alternatives like "attempt to find" might be preferable in certain situations. As Ludwig's analysis indicates, "try to locate" serves the primary function of expressing an intention to find something potentially difficult to find, conveying a purpose-driven action in various communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to find

Replaces "try to locate" with a more formal verb, 'attempt'.

look for

A simple and very common substitute.

search for

A more straightforward and common alternative.

seek to discover

Uses 'seek' and 'discover' which implies a more in-depth search.

make an effort to find

Emphasizes the effort involved in the search.

aim to pinpoint

Implies a desire for precision in finding something.

investigate to reveal

Highlights the investigative aspect of finding something.

work to uncover

Suggests revealing something hidden, a slightly different focus.

strive to unearth

Suggests a determined effort to reveal something buried or hidden.

endeavor to detect

A more formal and technical alternative, suitable for specific contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "try to locate" to describe an effort to find something, as in "The rescue team will "try to locate" the missing hikers".

What's a more formal way to say "try to locate"?

For more formal writing, you could use phrases like "attempt to find", "endeavor to detect", or "seek to discover".

Is it ever incorrect to use "try to locate"?

While grammatically correct, "try to locate" might sound less sophisticated in highly formal contexts. Consider stronger, more specific verbs depending on the situation.

What is the difference between "try to locate" and "search for"?

"Try to locate" implies an effort to find something that may be difficult to find, whereas "search for" is a more general term for looking for something.