try to make

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try to make" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing an effort to create, produce, or achieve something. Example: "I will try to make a cake for the party this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'll try to make it!

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Still, though, I try to make do.

The New Yorker

I try to make my life enjoyable".

The New York Times

So I try to make the sacrifice.

BMC Endocrine Disorders

Try to make money.

WikiHow

Try to make friends.

WikiHow

Try to make peace.

WikiHow

Try to make conversation.

WikiHow

Try to make something.

WikiHow

Try to make birthdays special.

WikiHow

Try to make a memory.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "try to make" when you want to express a genuine effort to create or achieve something, but acknowledge that the outcome isn't guaranteed. It conveys intent without overpromising.

Common error

While "try to make" is versatile, consider replacing it with more specific verbs like 'create', 'build', 'achieve', or 'produce' to add precision and impact to your writing. For instance, instead of "try to make a difference", you could say "strive to impact".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to make" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating an effort or attempt to create, produce, or achieve something. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it's used to express intention without guaranteeing success. For example, "Try to make friends" shows an effort, not a certainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

50%

News & Media

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "try to make" is a common and grammatically sound way to express an intention or effort to create or achieve something, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is versatile and appears in various contexts, ranging from informal to professional, but is particularly prevalent in how-to guides and general advice. While direct verbs may sometimes offer more precision, "try to make" effectively conveys the attempt itself. The key to using it well is to consider whether emphasizing the effort is more important than guaranteeing the result.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to create

Formal alternative emphasizing the act of attempting.

endeavor to produce

A more formal and diligent approach to making something.

strive to achieve

Focuses on the effort and determination to reach a goal.

aim to construct

Highlights the intention and process of building or creating.

seek to develop

Suggests a more investigative approach to the creation process.

work towards building

Emphasizes the incremental effort and progress.

make an effort to build

Highlights the dedication to construct something.

make an attempt to assemble

A slightly more descriptive alternative that emphasize the assembly of something.

aspire to craft

A more refined and artistic way of expressing the intention to create.

undertake to form

A formal way of saying to start and create something.

FAQs

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

"Try to make" is used to express an attempt or effort to create, produce, or achieve something. For example, "I will try to make a cake for the party" or "We should try to make a positive impact on the community".

What are some alternatives to "try to make"?

You can use alternatives like "attempt to create", "endeavor to produce", or "strive to achieve", depending on the context.

Is "try and make" grammatically correct instead of "try to make"?

While "try and make" is sometimes used colloquially, "try to make" is generally considered more grammatically correct in formal writing. The former can be seen as an abbreviation of "try and then make", implying sequential actions, while the latter implies an attempt towards a single goal.

When is it best to use "try to make" over more direct verbs like 'create' or 'build'?

"Try to make" is best used when you want to express uncertainty about the outcome or when you want to emphasize the effort being made, regardless of the result. Direct verbs like 'create' or 'build' imply a higher degree of confidence in achieving the intended result.