trying to fulfill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trying to fulfill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing an effort to meet a requirement, expectation, or desire. Example: "She is trying to fulfill her promise to help her friend move this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You're trying to fulfill everyone's expectations.

The New Yorker

Now we're trying to fulfill a bit of that desire".

The New York Times - Arts

"We are Americans trying to fulfill our talents.

The New Yorker

"They're all trying to fulfill the American dream," she said.

The New York Times

Or was he just trying to fulfill something that had always been inside him?

The New Yorker

Strong men may imperil their health by trying to fulfill their sexual demands.

The New Yorker

When he's merely trying to fulfill himself, well, then it's a party of one.

The New Yorker

"I still plan on trying to fulfill most of my dreams".

The New York Times

Don't get stuck trying to fulfill other people's expectations of who you are.

The Guardian

The Pirates will be trying to fulfill those expectations without an established frontcourt.

The New York Times - Sports

In that sense, she is, in some way, trying to fulfill her parents' dream for Botswana.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a task that requires significant effort or faces obstacles, "trying to fulfill" can effectively convey the challenges involved. For less demanding situations consider alternatives such as "intending to" or "planning to".

Common error

While "trying to fulfill" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can sound less polished. Substitute stronger verbs like "achieving", "completing", or "realizing" to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trying to fulfill" functions as an infinitive phrase, often serving as an adjectival or adverbial modifier. It describes an ongoing effort or intention to meet a specific goal, obligation, or desire, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trying to fulfill" is a versatile phrase used to express ongoing effort toward achieving a goal or satisfying an expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in varied contexts such as news media, academic writing, and formal business communication. While generally neutral in register, stronger verbs may be more appropriate for highly formal writing. Be mindful of the ongoing nature of the action when using this phrase, and consider alternatives to enhance clarity and impact. This will allow you to enhance the message and be more formal where required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempting to achieve

Focuses on the attempt or effort made towards reaching a goal.

striving to accomplish

Emphasizes the effort and determination involved in achieving something.

seeking to realize

Highlights the desire and pursuit of making something real or tangible.

working towards completing

Implies a process and effort directed at finishing something.

endeavoring to attain

Suggests a serious and determined effort to reach a specific goal.

aiming to satisfy

Focuses on the intention to meet a need, requirement, or expectation.

pursuing to execute

Highlights the active pursuit and implementation of a plan or task.

seeking to make happen

Emphasizes the effort to bring something into existence or to ensure its occurrence.

aspiring to deliver

Highlights ambition to produce or provide a specific outcome or result.

intending to satisfy

Highlights the purpose to bring fulfillment and satisfaction

FAQs

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

You can use "trying to fulfill" to describe an effort to meet a goal or expectation, such as "The company is "trying to fulfill" all customer orders before the end of the quarter".

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

You can use alternatives like "attempting to achieve", "striving to accomplish", or "seeking to realize" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "trying to fulfill" in writing?

"Trying to fulfill" is suitable for describing ongoing efforts to meet a requirement or desire. It is especially useful when the outcome is not yet certain. Using it can make the message less formal.

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

"Trying to fulfill" indicates an ongoing effort, while "succeeding in fulfilling" implies the successful completion of that effort. The former suggests an attempt, while the latter indicates achievement.