trying to mediate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trying to mediate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of attempting to resolve a conflict or facilitate communication between parties. Example: "In the meeting, she was trying to mediate the discussion between the two opposing teams to find a common ground."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

President Xanana Gusmao is trying to mediate.

The Guardian

"But this time we're trying to mediate.

The New York Times

Michael Spring, director of the Miami-Dade Countryingartoent of Cultural Affairs, is trying to mediate.

The New York Times - Arts

Mrs. Berger said on Monday that First Selectman Jerry Murphy was trying to mediate the conflict.

The New York Times

There are other businesses trying to mediate between Asian and American music culture.

The New Yorker

He died while trying to mediate a dispute between the Italian patriarchs of Aquileia and Grado.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Arab League is trying to mediate between the two sides.

The Economist

The submarine was allowed to attack the cruiser, just as the US, Peru and other parties were trying to mediate.

The Guardian

Ghana's president, John Kufuor, who currently chairs the African Union, is still trying to mediate, but so far in vain.

The Economist

The cardinal says he was trying to mediate in a dispute over which the family was divided.

The New York Times

Norway had a torrid time trying to mediate between the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan government.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about conflict resolution, consider using "trying to mediate" to convey the effort and intention behind the action. It suggests an attempt is being made, even if the outcome is uncertain.

Common error

Avoid phrasing like "mediation was being tried" when you can directly state who is "trying to mediate". Active voice often provides clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trying to mediate" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a present participle phrase. It describes an ongoing action or attempt to resolve a conflict. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is a correct and usable construction in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trying to mediate" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase indicating an active attempt to resolve a conflict. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is a standard construction in English, employed across various contexts, particularly in news and media. The analysis shows its neutrality in register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Its frequent occurrence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist confirms its widespread acceptance. While alternatives such as "attempting to mediate" or "seeking to mediate" exist, they offer subtle variations in emphasis. Therefore, when describing ongoing efforts to resolve disputes, "trying to mediate" remains a reliable and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempting to mediate

Replaces "trying" with a more formal synonym, "attempting".

seeking to mediate

Substitutes "trying" with "seeking", emphasizing the intent or goal.

working to mediate

Replaces "trying" with "working", highlighting the active effort involved.

endeavoring to mediate

Uses a more formal and less common synonym for "trying", suggesting a serious effort.

in the process of mediating

Changes the structure to emphasize the ongoing nature of the mediation process.

making an effort to mediate

Adds emphasis to the exertion involved in mediating.

aiming to mediate

Focuses on the objective of the mediation attempt.

taking steps to mediate

Highlights the actions being taken to facilitate mediation.

negotiating

Replaces the entire phrase with a single word that captures the essence of mediating.

playing the role of mediator

Emphasizes the function or position of the person attempting to mediate.

FAQs

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

You can use "trying to mediate" to describe an attempt to resolve a dispute. For example, "The diplomat is "trying to mediate" between the two countries".

What are some alternatives to "trying to mediate"?

Alternatives include "attempting to mediate", "seeking to mediate", or "working to mediate", each conveying a slightly different nuance.

Is "trying to mediate" formal or informal?

"Trying to mediate" is generally considered neutral and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.

What is the difference between "trying to mediate" and "having mediated"?

"Trying to mediate" refers to an ongoing attempt, while "having mediated" implies that the mediation process has been completed.