try to serve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try to serve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing an effort to provide assistance or fulfill a role, often in a context of service or support. Example: "In this project, we will try to serve our clients' needs to the best of our abilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"My goal is always to try to serve the least-served audience," he says.

The New York Times

You have to try to serve well.

The New York Times - Sports

Usually, black people do try to serve the race and try to serve the nation, really".

The Guardian - Books

I will try to serve better than usual.

Independent

But you have to try to serve justice, too.

The New Yorker

But because the BBC is paid for by everybody it must try to serve everybody.

The Economist

When I say I'm American, Syrians beam and sometimes even try to serve me tea.

The New York Times

If you get too wishy-washy and try to serve too many masters, you get nothing.

The New Yorker

In the end we try to serve the players as much as we can.

The Guardian - Sport

"But this does not mean that I did not try to serve the church".

The Guardian

"I decided to stop at 10 years rather than try to serve 15 years," Mr. Lemann said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "try to serve", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is being served. For example, "We try to serve our customers with the best possible products."

Common error

While "try to serve" is acceptable, overusing "try" in your writing can make you sound uncertain. Consider using stronger verbs like "serve", "assist", or "help" directly when you are confident in your ability to deliver.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to serve" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose or intention. It indicates an effort or attempt to provide assistance, function in a particular role, or fulfill a duty. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

23%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Science & Research

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "try to serve" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey an intent or effort to provide assistance or fulfill a duty. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is perfectly correct. It is versatile and appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While the phrase is generally acceptable, it's important to use it judiciously. Overusing "try" can make your writing sound uncertain. In such scenarios, consider using stronger verbs, like "serve", depending on the message you want to transmit. When a stronger expression is not needed, you can still choose among the multiple alternatives such as "attempt to help" or "aim to assist".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to help

This alternative replaces "try to serve" with a more direct and simpler expression of offering assistance.

aim to assist

This phrase uses "aim" to indicate intent, suggesting a focused effort to provide assistance.

strive to aid

This option uses "strive" to convey a greater effort or determination in providing help.

seek to support

This alternative emphasizes the intention of offering support, implying a broader role than just direct service.

endeavor to assist

This is a more formal alternative that emphasizes the serious effort being made.

make an effort to assist

This option emphasizes the action of making an effort, rather than a commitment to service.

aspire to contribute

This suggests a more elevated or ambitious goal of making a meaningful contribution.

undertake to perform

This emphasizes the commitment to carry out a specific task or duty.

dedicate oneself to serving

This alternative implies a strong commitment and personal investment in providing service.

work towards assisting

This suggests continuous and ongoing efforts to help.

FAQs

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

"Try to serve" is used to express an intention or effort to provide assistance or fulfill a duty. For example: "We try to serve the community through our volunteer programs."

What are some alternatives to "try to serve"?

You can use alternatives like "attempt to help", "aim to assist", or "seek to support" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "try to serve" or just "serve"?

Using "serve" directly implies a definite action, while "try to serve" suggests an attempt or intention. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the effort or the actual service.

What is the nuance between "try to serve" and "want to serve"?

"Try to serve" implies an effort and possibly some uncertainty about the outcome, while "want to serve" expresses a desire or willingness to provide service.