trying to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trying to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express when someone is attempting to do something. For example: "John was trying to finish his essay when his computer crashed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or desperately trying to.

The New York Times

"Trying to decide".

The New Yorker

Trying to fall asleep.

The New Yorker

Or — trying to smile?

The New Yorker

"Trying to," Reed said.

The New York Times

I'm trying to decide".

The New York Times

Trying to influence people".

The New Yorker

Trying to be charitable.

The New Yorker

I'm trying to focus.

The New York Times - Sports

Or trying to, anyway.

The New York Times - Arts

I'm trying to read.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trying to" when you want to describe an action that is not yet completed or may not be successful. It implies effort and intention, but not necessarily achievement.

Common error

Don't use "trying to" when the action is already completed or certain. Use a more direct verb form instead. For example, instead of saying "I'm trying to finish the report (and I already did)", say "I finished the report."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trying to" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an intention or attempt to perform a specific action. It highlights the effort being made, as shown in Ludwig's examples where individuals are "trying to decide", "trying to focus", or "trying to be better".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trying to" is a very common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate an attempt or effort to perform an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely applicable in both formal and informal settings. While alternatives like "attempting to" or "aiming to" exist for stylistic variation, "trying to" remains a versatile and frequently used phrase across various contexts. The key is to ensure its usage aligns with the intended meaning of ongoing effort, rather than completed actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempting to

This alternative is a more formal and direct synonym, often used in official or written contexts.

making an effort to

This alternative explicitly states the exertion of effort, often used to emphasize commitment.

aiming to

This alternative highlights the intention or purpose behind the action, focusing on the desired result.

seeking to

This alternative emphasizes the act of searching or pursuing a specific goal or outcome.

working to

This alternative suggests ongoing effort and dedication toward achieving a particular objective.

striving to

This alternative conveys a sense of struggle and persistent effort in the face of challenges.

endeavoring to

This alternative is a highly formal and somewhat archaic synonym, suggesting a serious and determined effort.

doing your best to

This alternative emphasizes the level of personal commitment and effort being invested.

taking steps to

This alternative focuses on the actions being taken to achieve a certain goal.

planning to

This alternative focuses on the intention for the action to happen, specifically focusing on the planning stage.

FAQs

How to use "trying to" in a sentence?

"Trying to" is used to express an attempt or effort to do something. For example, "I am trying to learn Spanish" or "She was trying to open the jar".

What can I say instead of "trying to"?

You can use alternatives like "attempting to", "endeavoring to", or "aiming to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "trying to" or "try and"?

"Trying to" is generally considered more grammatically correct in formal writing. "Try and" is often used in informal speech, but "trying to" is preferred in written communication.

What's the difference between "trying to" and "succeeding in"?

"Trying to" indicates an effort or attempt, while "succeeding in" indicates that the effort was successful. For example, "He was trying to fix the car" means he was making an effort, but "He succeeded in fixing the car" means he successfully repaired it.