trying to have

USAGE SUMMARY

"trying to have" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in a sentence to describe someone's attempt or effort to achieve or obtain something. Example: "She was trying to have a peaceful conversation with her boss, but he kept interrupting her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's trying to have fun.

The New York Times

I'm just trying to have fun.

Independent

"We're trying to have some fun".

The New York Times - Arts

I was just trying to have fun".

The New York Times - Sports

Trying to have kids?

The New York Times

I'm trying to have a good night.

Independent

Who's not trying to have more fun?

The New York Times - Sports

"She's trying to have it both ways.

The New York Times

Elsevier was trying to have it both ways.

University of California, Berkeley

"It's just people trying to have sex," she said.

The New York Times

Hey, I am trying to have a life.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trying to have", ensure the context clearly indicates what one is attempting to achieve or experience. For example, "They are "trying to have" a serious conversation".

Common error

Avoid using "trying to have" when a more precise verb would better convey the intended meaning. Instead of saying "They are "trying to have" understanding", it's better to say "They are trying to understand".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trying to have" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as part of a verb phrase to express an attempt or effort to achieve or experience something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "trying to have" is a grammatically sound and frequently used gerund phrase that signifies an attempt to attain a specific state, experience, or object. According to Ludwig AI, its versatility allows for application across diverse contexts. While it appears predominantly in "News & Media", its presence is also noted in "Science", "Formal & Business", and other areas. To maximize clarity and precision, it's advisable to specify the object of the attempt. When appropriate, more descriptive verbs can replace it. This comprehensive analysis underscores the broad utility and proper application of "trying to have" in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making an effort to have

Rephrases the entire phrase with emphasis on making an effort.

in an effort to get

Rephrases the attempt as an effort to achieve something.

striving to achieve

Emphasizes the effort and the ultimate achievement.

seeking to obtain

Emphasizes the seeking aspect of the effort, replacing "have" with "obtain".

aiming to secure

Focuses on the goal-oriented nature of the attempt, using "aiming" and "secure".

looking to gain

Focuses on the perspective of searching and gaining, making it slightly more informal.

attempting to possess

Replaces "trying" with "attempting" and "have" with "possess", making it sound more formal.

working towards possessing

Highlights the ongoing effort and eventual possession.

endeavoring to acquire

Uses more formal synonyms like "endeavoring" and "acquire", increasing the formality level.

planning to own

Highlights intention and ownership instead of the attempt to have.

FAQs

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

Use "trying to have" to indicate an attempt or effort to achieve something, such as "I am "trying to have" a positive attitude today", or "They are "trying to have" a baby".

What are some alternatives to "trying to have"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "seeking to obtain", "aiming to secure", or "making an effort to have".

Is it always necessary to specify what someone is "trying to have"?

Yes, clarity is essential. Always specify what the subject is "trying to have" to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "She's "trying to have"," say "She's "trying to have" a career" or "She's "trying to have" a good time".

When is it better to use a more specific verb instead of "trying to have"?

If you can replace the entire phrase with a single verb that better conveys the meaning, do so. For instance, instead of saying "They are "trying to have" an agreement", say "They are negotiating".