trying her hardest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trying her hardest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone making a significant effort to achieve something, often in a challenging situation. Example: "Despite the difficulties she faced, she was trying her hardest to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"She was trying her hardest to be unattractive and failing, miserably," laughs Cianfrance.

Independent

She was, he said, trying her hardest not to offend Sanders supporters, whom she will later ask to vote for the nominee.

The Guardian

Experts agree that nothing can stop it happening but one academic is trying her hardest to slow it down, to help preserve what may be part of a golden ticket for our brains.

The Guardian

"If I'm not doing my job, she's trying her hardest to make it look like a strike.

Los Angeles Times

That doesn't mean that she isn't concerned about the future of the movement she's trying her hardest to pull off.

Huffington Post

Miley Cyrus made habitual headlines this summer for trying her hardest to break out of the "child star" mold.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Adlington tried her hardest to stay on her shoulder.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a question for which she's surely going to try her hardest to find an answer.

Harvard University

In the "Call Me Maybe" video, the object of her crush is tattooed, but tastefully so, and while she tries her hardest, she never arouses his interest.

The New York Times - Arts

But Dawana said she would try her hardest to enter this new era, featuring the greatest player on the planet, with an open mind.

The New York Times - Sports

SHE barely had an hour to talk, which she tried her hardest to fill with 400 years of slavery history of New York.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trying her hardest" when you want to emphasize the effort someone is making, especially when facing challenges. It conveys dedication and commitment.

Common error

Avoid using "trying her hardest" repeatedly in a short span. Vary your language with synonyms like "giving it her all" or "doing her best" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trying her hardest" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of making a substantial effort. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trying her hardest" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey dedicated effort. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, where it often highlights a person's determination despite challenges. While versatile, it's advisable to use synonyms such as "giving it her all" or "doing her utmost" to avoid repetition. The phrase's neutral register makes it appropriate for both formal and informal communication, reinforcing its utility in expressing sincere effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

giving it her all

This alternative uses a more informal idiom to convey maximum effort.

doing her utmost

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the extent of the effort.

exerting maximum effort

This alternative is a more descriptive and less idiomatic way to express the effort being made.

striving with all her might

This phrase adds a sense of strength and determination to the effort.

putting forth her best effort

This alternative focuses on the quality of the effort being expended.

making a supreme effort

This emphasizes the exceptional nature of the attempt.

endeavoring to the fullest

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of expressing dedicated effort.

applying herself diligently

This highlights the consistent and focused nature of the effort.

working assiduously

A formal term indicating persistent and careful effort.

going all out

This idiom suggests a complete and unrestrained effort.

FAQs

What does "trying her hardest" mean?

The phrase "trying her hardest" means that someone is making a significant and sincere effort to achieve something, often despite facing difficulties or challenges.

What can I say instead of "trying her hardest"?

You can use alternatives like "giving it her all", "doing her utmost", or "putting forth her best effort" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "trying their hardest" when referring to a group?

Yes, "trying their hardest" is correct when referring to a group of people. For an individual, use "trying his/her hardest".

How to use "trying her hardest" in a sentence?

You can use "trying her hardest" in a sentence like, "Despite the obstacles, she was "trying her hardest" to complete the project on time."