try to relate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try to relate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when encouraging someone to make a connection or find common ground with a topic or person. Example: "In our discussion about personal experiences, I encourage you to try to relate your own story to the themes we are exploring."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In this research we try to relate the amount of Mn3+ with the lattice parameter.

Journal of Power Sources

Under no circumstances should you try to relate to the teen-agers.

The New Yorker

"O.K., I will now try to relate to you with more human jokes," RoboThespian offers.

The New Yorker

In elementary mathematics, for example, these try to relate formulae to practical situations.

The Economist

Try to relate your subjects to everyday life – make it funny.

Independent

Try to relate what you are reading to situations in your own life.

University of California, Berkeley

In other words, he took cultures on their own terms rather than try to relate everything to the West.

The New York Times - Books

We will now try to relate the formation of the strongly aligned hairpins with the strain-softening in entangled solutions.

Nature

Then, thinking about UX within these online spaces, you can try to relate it to physical experiences.

Harvard University

In addition, several physiological parameters were quantified in order to try to relate the damage in the transplanted biomonitors with the air quality in the sector.

Microchemical Journal

And it clearly gives Mr. Bush an ability to try to relate to voters of different ages without looking ridiculous or uncomfortable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In persuasive writing, use "try to relate" personal anecdotes or examples to connect with your audience on an emotional level, making your argument more compelling.

Common error

While "try to relate" is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal academic or professional writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated synonyms like "attempt to correlate", "seek to understand", or "endeavor to connect" to maintain a polished and professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to relate" functions primarily as an action-oriented expression, indicating an attempt to establish a connection, find relevance, or understand the relationship between different entities or concepts. As noted by Ludwig, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

28%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "try to relate" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that encourages the establishment of connections and the search for relevance across various contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and useful in written English. Its versatility allows it to appear in academic, news, and general writing, though it is essential to avoid overusing it in highly formal settings. When aiming for precision, alternatives like "attempt to connect" or "seek to understand" can offer nuanced expressions of the same intent. Overall, "try to relate" is a valuable addition to one's linguistic toolkit, promoting deeper comprehension and meaningful engagement with the world around us.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make an effort to relate

This is a more emphatic version that highlights the intention behind relating.

attempt to connect

Focuses more on the action of establishing a link or bond.

work to understand

Places emphasis on the effort and process of achieving understanding.

seek to understand

Emphasizes the effort to comprehend a subject or another person's perspective.

attempt to identify with

Focuses on finding common ground and shared experiences.

endeavor to empathize

Highlights the attempt to share and understand someone else's feelings.

aspire to connect

Implies a strong desire and ambition to forge a link.

aim to associate

Suggests a goal of linking or joining things together.

undertake to understand

Formal version suggesting a serious and committed effort to comprehend.

strive to correlate

Indicates an effort to find a mutual relationship or connection between two or more things.

FAQs

How can I use "try to relate" effectively in a sentence?

Use "try to relate" to encourage finding connections between different concepts or experiences. For example, "In this lesson, we will try to relate historical events to current social issues".

What are some alternatives to "try to relate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "attempt to connect", "seek to understand", or "endeavor to empathize".

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

"Try to relate" and "attempt to relate" are largely interchangeable. "Attempt to relate" may sound slightly more formal, but both are correct and widely understood.

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

It's appropriate in various contexts, including academic discussions, news articles, and general writing, where the goal is to encourage making connections or finding common ground. However, avoid overuse in highly formal contexts.