trying to make

USAGE SUMMARY

"trying to make" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to describe an action someone is undertaking. Example: "She was trying to make a difference in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm trying to make money.

The New York Times

They're trying to make money.

The New York Times

Trying to make sense of it.

The New York Times

He's not trying to make money.

The New Yorker

They are trying to make a dollar".

The New York Times

We are trying to make it transparent".

The New York Times

He's always trying to make plays.

The New York Times - Sports

And we're trying to make money.

The New Yorker

Just trying to make it interesting, right?

The New York Times

He's trying to make a living".

The New York Times

I'm trying to make you proud'.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trying to make" to describe an active and ongoing effort, especially when the outcome is uncertain or requires sustained effort.

Common error

In formal writing, consider stronger verbs or more precise phrases to convey the specific action being attempted. For instance, instead of "trying to make improvements", use "implementing improvements" or "effecting change".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trying to make" functions as a verbal phrase expressing an ongoing effort or attempt to achieve a specific outcome. It often indicates an action in progress, where the result is not yet certain, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trying to make" is a versatile and common phrase used to express effort and intent across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. While perfectly acceptable in most situations, consider stronger, more specific verbs in formal writing to enhance clarity. As showcased across numerous examples, "trying to make" serves as a practical way to express active engagement towards a goal, be it "trying to make money" or "trying to make a point". By being mindful of context and register, you can effectively employ this phrase to enrich your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempting to create

Focuses on the attempt to bring something new into existence.

seeking to develop

Emphasizes the pursuit of improvement or advancement.

endeavoring to produce

Highlights a serious or determined effort to generate something.

aiming to construct

Implies a planned and deliberate effort to build or assemble.

working towards building

Focuses on the ongoing effort to establish or develop something.

striving to form

Emphasizes the effort and struggle involved in creating something.

looking to generate

Focuses on the intention to produce or create something.

planning to craft

Implies careful and skillful creation.

hoping to fashion

Suggests a creative and somewhat improvisational approach to creation.

intending to establish

Focuses on the purpose of setting up or founding something.

FAQs

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

You can use "trying to make" to describe an attempt to achieve something, such as "They are "trying to make a profit"" or "She is "trying to make amends"".

What's the difference between "trying to make" and "attempting to make"?

"Trying to make" and "attempting to make" are very similar, but "attempting" often implies a more formal or deliberate effort than "trying".

What are some alternatives to "trying to make"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "aiming to make", "seeking to develop", or "endeavoring to produce".

Is "trying to make" appropriate for formal writing?

While "trying to make" is generally acceptable, formal writing may benefit from more precise and stronger verbs that clearly convey the intended action or result.