trying to overcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trying to overcome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing efforts to deal with challenges, obstacles, or difficulties in various contexts. Example: "She is trying to overcome her fear of public speaking by practicing regularly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are trying to overcome these difficulties.

The New Yorker

Trying to overcome both is nearly impossible.

The New York Times - Sports

Germany is trying to overcome such obstacles.

The Washington Post

For Mr. Cuomo, "very proud; trying to overcome it".

The New York Times

That is something the Hungarians are trying to overcome.

The New York Times

Several groups were trying to overcome this problem.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Tariq is trying to overcome a conflict with haters.

The Guardian

In life you have to keep trying to overcome oppression.

The Guardian - Opinion

One provider, Telesuite, is trying to overcome industry inertia.

The New York Times

Suggestion of a new criterion trying to overcome the drawbacks of former criteria.

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology

I'm NOT an idiot!" I'm trying to overcome the inner critic with hatred.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider stronger synonyms like "striving to conquer" or "endeavoring to surmount" to add sophistication and formality.

Common error

While "trying to overcome" is correct, avoid overuse. Vary your language by using synonyms like "struggling to overcome" or "working to defeat" to keep your writing fresh and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trying to overcome" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a gerund phrase acting as part of a larger verb construction. It describes an ongoing action or process of attempting to deal with or resolve a challenge or difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trying to overcome" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the active process of addressing challenges or difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread applicability across various contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider stronger synonyms to avoid overuse and maintain engaging writing. This phrase is particularly useful for emphasizing effort and intention in the face of adversity, making it a valuable addition to any writer's toolbox.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endeavoring to surmount

Replaces "trying" with "endeavoring" (more formal) and "overcome" with "surmount" (more elevated vocabulary).

battling to surmount

Conveys a sense of struggle, replacing "trying" with "battling" and "overcome" with "surmount".

striving to conquer

Substitutes "trying" with "striving" (emphasizing effort) and "overcome" with "conquer" (implying victory).

seeking to prevail against

Uses more formal language, replacing "trying" with "seeking" and "overcome" with "prevail against", indicating a struggle.

making an effort to conquer

More verbose and explicit, replacing "trying" with "making an effort" and "overcome" with "conquer".

working to defeat

Replaces "trying" with "working" (highlighting action) and "overcome" with "defeat" (suggesting an opponent).

aiming to rise above

Employs a metaphorical expression, replacing "overcome" with "rise above", suggesting transcendence.

attempting to get past

Replaces "overcome" with the more conversational "get past", implying a simpler obstacle.

in the process of resolving

Focuses on the ongoing nature of the effort, replacing "trying to overcome" with "in the process of resolving", implying a problem-solving approach.

grappling with

Uses a verb phrase that emphasizes the struggle itself, rather than the act of overcoming. Omits "trying" altogether.

FAQs

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

"Trying to overcome" is used to describe the action of attempting to deal with a difficulty or obstacle. For instance, "She is trying to overcome her fear of public speaking."

What are some alternatives to "trying to overcome"?

You can use alternatives like "struggling to overcome", "working to defeat", or "endeavoring to surmount" depending on the context and desired tone.

Is it grammatically correct to say "trying to overcome"?

Yes, "trying to overcome" is grammatically correct. It uses a gerund ("trying") followed by an infinitive ("to overcome"), which is a standard construction in English.

What is the difference between "trying to overcome" and "overcoming"?

"Trying to overcome" implies an ongoing effort, while "overcoming" suggests the successful completion of that effort. For example, "He is trying to overcome his addiction" indicates an active process, while "He overcame his addiction" signifies a completed achievement.