trying to establish

USAGE SUMMARY

"trying to establish" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are attempting to create something, such as a business relationship, an agreement, or a sense of understanding. For example, "We are trying to establish an open relationship of trust and understanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We're trying to establish the legal responsibility".

The New York Times

"We are trying to establish what happened".

The Guardian

"I'm now trying to establish boundaries".

The New Yorker

That's what we're trying to establish".

The New York Times - Science

They're trying to establish their dominance.

The New York Times

Some younger guys who are trying to establish themselves.

The New York Times - Sports

"You're trying to establish an espionage thriller," he said.

The New York Times

"I mean we're trying to establish a democracy here".

The New York Times

She is trying to establish whether it will work.

The Guardian

We're trying to establish a model for the garments industry.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Everybody is trying to establish a brand and exploit it".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "trying to establish" with quantifiable goals to enhance credibility. For instance, "trying to establish a 20% market share" is more impactful than just "trying to establish market presence".

Common error

While "trying to establish" is versatile, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "seeking to determine" or "working to define" depending on the specific context to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trying to establish" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an ongoing effort or attempt. It typically introduces a clause that specifies the object or goal of this effort. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trying to establish" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase widely used to express an ongoing effort to create, prove, or determine something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Its prevalence in reputable sources, particularly in news and media, underscores its reliability and neutrality. While synonyms like "attempting to ascertain" or "seeking to determine" can add variety, it's important to maintain clarity and precision. As noted in the writing guidance, avoid overusing the phrase to prevent redundancy. The frequency analysis further indicates that while common, its use can be optimized for greater impact through quantifiable goals and specific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempting to ascertain

Focuses on discovering something with certainty.

seeking to determine

Implies a focused effort to find out or decide on something.

working to define

Highlights the effort to clarify the meaning or scope of something.

endeavoring to demonstrate

Emphasizes the attempt to prove something through evidence or argument.

aiming to institute

Focuses on the intention to set up or begin a system or policy.

striving to implement

Highlights the effort to put a plan or system into effect.

looking to build

Suggests an effort to create or develop something over time.

testing to validate

Implies a process of verifying the accuracy or effectiveness of something.

researching to confirm

Focuses on using research to verify or establish the truth of something.

exploring to identify

Highlights the process of discovering or recognizing something through exploration.

FAQs

How can I use "trying to establish" in a sentence?

You can use "trying to establish" when describing an effort to create, prove, or determine something. For example, "The researchers are trying to establish a link between the two events."

What can I say instead of "trying to establish"?

You can use alternatives like "attempting to ascertain", "seeking to determine", or "working to define" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "trying to establish" or "attempting to establish"?

Both "trying to establish" and "attempting to establish" are correct and usable. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What's the difference between "trying to establish" and "trying to formulate"?

"Trying to establish" implies an effort to prove or create something already conceived, while "trying to formulate" suggests an effort to develop or create something new.