try to secure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try to secure" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing efforts to obtain or achieve something, such as funding, a position, or an agreement. Example: "We will try to secure additional funding for the project to ensure its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Haley and Tim try to secure his money for themselves.

The New Yorker

The wealthy hire lobbyists; they try to secure their interests with campaign donations.

The New Yorker

Firefighters try to secure construction equipment, while police work to hold back Midtown crowds far below.

The New York Times

The hedge funds have sued Argentina to try to secure payment of what they are owed.

The New York Times

(The president-elect has declared that he will try to secure their release).

The New York Times

Nonetheless, he did try to secure the services of some other American artists.

Independent

It spoke of all parties "using their influence" to try to secure disarmament.

The Economist

The company will work with Medicare going forward to try to secure coverage, he said.

The New York Times

"I think Sprint has clearly taken actions to try to secure their financial position," he added.

The New York Times

We have to make sure we try to secure sixth place in the constructors' championship.

The Guardian - Sport

Perhaps the time has come to try to secure personal transactions as well, at least partially.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "try to secure" to indicate an action taken with an uncertain outcome, such as a competitive bid or a negotiation.

Common error

While "try to secure" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can weaken the impact. Opt for stronger verbs like "ensure", "guarantee", or "attain" when appropriate to convey greater confidence and authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to secure" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It indicates the intention behind an action, suggesting an attempt or effort to achieve a specific goal or outcome. Ludwig AI, provides numerous examples of this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

12%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "try to secure" is a versatile phrase used to express an attempt to obtain or achieve something, as validated by Ludwig AI. Its grammatical function is that of an infinitive phrase denoting purpose. While grammatically correct and widely used, it's important to consider the context and desired level of certainty when choosing this phrase. Stronger verbs like "ensure" or "guarantee" may be more appropriate in formal contexts where a successful outcome is highly probable. As supported by Ludwig, this phrase appears most frequently in "News & Media", "Wiki", "Science", and "Formal & Business", contexts. Remember to consider the nuances of the phrase and its alternatives to craft clear and impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to obtain

Replaces "try" with "attempt" and "secure" with "obtain", focusing on the effort to get something.

strive to achieve

Emphasizes the effort and ambition involved in reaching a goal.

seek to guarantee

Focuses on ensuring a certain outcome or result.

work towards ensuring

Highlights the ongoing effort to make something certain.

aim to acquire

Replaces "try" with "aim" and "secure" with "acquire", suggesting a specific target.

endeavor to procure

Uses more formal language to convey the effort to obtain something.

make an effort to attain

Stresses the exertion put forth in reaching a goal.

take steps to ensure

Emphasizes the actions taken to guarantee a specific result.

look to safeguard

Focuses on protecting or preserving something.

pursue to ascertain

Suggests a determined effort to find something out for certain.

FAQs

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

You can use "try to secure" when expressing an attempt to obtain or achieve something, such as "We will try to secure funding for the project" or "The team will try to secure a victory".

What can I say instead of "try to secure"?

You can use alternatives like "attempt to obtain", "strive to achieve", or "aim to acquire" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "try to secure" or "try and secure"?

"Try to secure" is generally considered more grammatically correct in formal writing. "Try and secure" is acceptable in informal contexts, but "try to secure" is preferred for clarity and precision.

What's the difference between "try to secure" and "ensure"?

"Try to secure" implies an attempt with an uncertain outcome, while "ensure" suggests a higher degree of certainty and a successful outcome. Use "try to secure" when there's a possibility of failure and "ensure" when you are confident in achieving the desired result.