what about trying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what about trying" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when suggesting an idea or proposing an alternative action to consider. Example: "What about trying a different approach to solve this problem?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

What about trying to be better people?

The New Yorker

And what about trying prisoners in our criminal courts?

The New Yorker

But what about trying drugs already on the market?

The New York Times - Science

"What about trying to make money off of the things that make us good, like love or happiness?" Oh, gentle reader, it's so good to laugh.

The New York Times

Somebody might say that an idea is impractical because it would be really expensive, but then someone says, wait a minute, what about trying this?

The New York Times

"What about trying Daddy's job for a bit – see how tough it really is?" My son pulls a face.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

That's what this was about, trying to go uphill, against a great team like Wake Forest".

The New York Times - Sports

That's what this case is about, trying to circumvent the entire judicial system".

The New York Times

What about someone trying to treat stress or anxiety?

Huffington Post

What about her trying to accommodate Lucille's longings for clothes, friends, normal conversation?

The New York Times

But what you learn about trying 2 rectangles helps in limiting the potential configurations for 3, and so on.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what about trying", ensure the context is clear and the suggested action is feasible. Avoid using it for suggestions that are obviously impractical or irrelevant.

Common error

Avoid using "what about trying" in formal writing or presentations. Opt for more professional phrases like "we could consider" or "it may be beneficial to explore" to maintain a more serious and respectful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what about trying" functions as a suggestion or proposal. It introduces an idea or alternative action for consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, especially when prompting ideas.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science & Research

15%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

15%

The New Yorker

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what about trying" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce suggestions or alternatives. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While it's versatile, it leans towards a neutral or informal register, making it less suitable for highly formal contexts. Its widespread use across news, media, and general discussions highlights its effectiveness in stimulating brainstorming and problem-solving. When aiming for a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "we could consider" or "it may be beneficial to explore".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how about attempting

Replaces "what about" with "how about" and "trying" with "attempting", slightly changing the tone.

what if we tried

Shifts the focus to a hypothetical scenario by using "what if" instead of "what about".

have you considered attempting

Introduces a more formal tone, asking if someone has already thought about the proposed action.

why not give it a shot

Offers a more informal and encouraging suggestion, using idiomatic language.

perhaps we should consider

Suggests a more cautious and deliberate approach to the proposed action.

what are your thoughts on attempting

Seeks input and opinions on the proposed action.

let's explore attempting

Suggests investigating a course of action.

how would you feel about attempting

Inquires about someone's sentiment toward a proposed endeavor.

what's your perspective on attempting

Asks for an assessment of a possible path of action.

how does attempting sound

Checks for the palatability of the considered action.

FAQs

How can I use "what about trying" in a sentence?

You can use "what about trying" to suggest an alternative. For instance, "What about trying a different approach to solve this problem?"

What are some alternatives to "what about trying"?

You can use alternatives like "how about attempting", "what if we tried", or "perhaps we should consider" depending on the context.

Is "what about trying" appropriate for formal communication?

While grammatically correct, "what about trying" is generally considered informal. In formal settings, consider using phrases like "we could consider" or "it may be beneficial to explore".

What's the difference between "what about trying" and "how about trying"?

Both "what about trying" and "how about trying" are used to make suggestions. The difference is subtle, with "how about" often feeling slightly more casual or conversational.