used to try

USAGE SUMMARY

'used to try' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to talk about an activity or action that happened regularly in the past, but now happens no longer. For example: "I used to try to get in an hour of exercise every day, but now I don't have the time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Alan Shearer used to try to take the piss out of us," French says.

The Guardian - Sport

We used to try.

The Guardian

I used to try confronting these guys.

The New York Times

He used to try and stop them".

The Guardian

We used to try harder and do better.

The New York Times

I used to try to kind of do too much".

The New York Times - Sports

Buttons that I used to try and eat.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We used to try to match cinematic levels of detail.

The Guardian - Tech

Dishonesty – especially when used to try and smear people politically.

The Guardian

"I used to try to sell rocks," Ms. McIver said.

The New York Times

"I used to try to write five pages a day.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "used to try" to describe repeated actions or attempts in the past that no longer occur. For example, "I used to try to wake up early, but now I sleep in."

Common error

Avoid using "use to try" (without the 'd') as it is grammatically incorrect. Remember that "used" indicates the past tense.

Linguistic Context

"Used to try" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past habit or repeated action that is no longer practiced. Ludwig's examples showcase its usage in diverse contexts, from personal habits to professional endeavors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "used to try" is a grammatically sound and very common way to describe past habits or repeated attempts. According to Ludwig, the phrase functions effectively across a broad spectrum of contexts, particularly in news, scientific and lifestyle content. The correct form is "used to try", and it should not be confused with the incorrect "use to try". Alternatives such as "would often attempt" or "formerly tried" can offer variety while maintaining a similar meaning. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and widespread applicability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would often attempt

Replaces "used to" with "would often", emphasizing the repeated nature of the attempts.

habitually tried

Uses "habitually" to stress the habitual aspect of the attempts.

had a habit of trying

Highlights the habitual nature of trying.

would make an effort

Focuses on the effort involved in the past actions.

was in the habit of attempting

Similar to "had a habit of trying", but more formal.

made it a practice to attempt

Emphasizes the routine nature of the attempts.

formerly tried

Replaces "used to" with "formerly" to indicate a past action.

once attempted

Highlights a single instance of attempting something in the past.

previously attempted

Uses "previously" to indicate that the attempt occurred at an earlier time.

in the past I attempted

Adds a temporal marker to clarify that the attempt occurred in the past.

FAQs

How do I use "used to try" in a sentence?

Use "used to try" to indicate a past habit or repeated action that you no longer do. For example, "I "used to try" to exercise every day before work."

What are some alternatives to "used to try"?

You can use alternatives like "would often attempt", "habitually tried", or "formerly tried" to express a similar meaning.

What is the difference between "used to try" and "tried"?

"Used to try" implies a repeated action or habit in the past, while "tried" indicates a single attempt. For example, "I "used to try" to bake bread every week" suggests a regular activity, whereas "I tried to bake bread" indicates a one-time effort.

Is "use to try" grammatically correct?

No, "use to try" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""used to try"", with a 'd' to indicate past tense.