trying to protect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trying to protect" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing efforts or attempts to safeguard someone or something from harm or danger. Example: "She is trying to protect her children from the negative influences of social media."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We're trying to protect America.

The New York Times

He's trying to protect himself".

The New York Times

"We're trying to protect the taxpayer".

The New York Times

"His father was trying to protect him".

The New York Times - Sports

He is not trying to protect himself.

The New Yorker

JPMorgan clearly was trying to protect itself.

The New York Times

They were trying to protect me.

Independent

They're trying to protect people from this.

Cornell University

"Who's it trying to protect?" he said.

The New York Times

I was trying to protect my wife, I was trying to protect myself".

The New York Times

"They say they're trying to protect players.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger synonyms like "defending" or "safeguarding" if the situation involves a higher degree of certainty or proactive action.

Common error

Avoid generic statements like "They are trying to protect us." Instead, specify the potential danger: "They are trying to protect us from cyberattacks."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trying to protect" functions as a verb phrase, specifically an infinitive phrase, indicating an action that is being attempted but not necessarily completed. It describes the effort or intention behind safeguarding someone or something. Examples from Ludwig show it used in various contexts like protecting individuals, assets, or interests.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trying to protect" is a versatile phrase used to express the intention or effort to safeguard someone or something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It appears most frequently in news and media but also finds application in academic and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, it's beneficial to specify what is being protected and from what, and consider synonyms like "endeavoring to safeguard" or "seeking to defend" to add nuance. Common errors involve vagueness, so clarity is key. By understanding these aspects, writers can use "trying to protect" effectively and avoid common pitfalls.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeking to defend

Substitutes "trying" with "seeking", indicating a deliberate attempt, and "protect" with "defend", emphasizing resistance against an attack or threat.

endeavoring to safeguard

Replaces "trying" with "endeavoring", suggesting a more formal and determined effort, and "protect" with "safeguard", which implies a more comprehensive and preventative approach.

aiming to shield

Replaces "trying" with "aiming", denoting intent, and "protect" with "shield", which suggests providing a barrier against harm.

attempting to preserve

Replaces "trying" with "attempting", a more formal synonym and "protect" with "preserve", highlighting conservation.

striving to secure

Substitutes "trying" with "striving", indicating a considerable effort, and "protect" with "secure", emphasizing the establishment of safety and stability.

working to preserve

Changes "trying" to "working", highlighting the effort involved, and "protect" to "preserve", indicating an attempt to maintain something in its original condition.

making an effort to guard

Adds "making an effort", explicitly stating the exertion involved, and replaces "protect" with "guard", suggesting vigilance and readiness to prevent harm.

taking measures to defend

Emphasizes the actions being taken to "defend", suggesting proactive steps.

taking steps to shelter

Highlights the proactive approach of "taking steps" to "shelter", conveying providing refuge.

in the process of conserving

Indicates an ongoing action of "conserving", implying careful management and preservation.

FAQs

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

You can use "trying to protect" to describe actions taken to safeguard someone or something from harm or danger. For example, "The government is trying to protect citizens from online scams."

What are some alternatives to "trying to protect"?

Alternatives include "endeavoring to safeguard", "seeking to defend", or "aiming to shield", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "trying to protect" or "attempting to protect"?

"Trying to protect" and "attempting to protect" are largely interchangeable, but "attempting to protect" might sound slightly more formal. The best choice depends on the tone you want to establish.

What's the difference between "trying to protect" and "protecting"?

"Trying to protect" implies an ongoing effort or attempt that may not yet be fully successful, while "protecting" suggests that the protection is currently in effect or is being successfully maintained.