why not try

USAGE SUMMARY

"why not try" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an expression that can be used to suggest that someone consider doing something. For example, "If you want to learn a new skill, why not try taking a cooking class?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Why not try?

The New York Times

But why not try?

The Guardian - Opinion

And why not try?

The New York Times - Magazine

Why not try it?

The New York Times

Why not try once?

The New York Times - Health

Why not try that?

The New York Times - Magazine

Why not try again?

The New Yorker

So why not try?

The New York Times - Books

Why not try it here?

The New York Times

Why not try the third?

Independent

Why not try it today?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "why not try" to introduce a suggestion or alternative, especially when the current approach is not working or when brainstorming new ideas. It frames the suggestion as an open question, encouraging consideration.

Common error

While versatile, overuse of "why not try" in highly formal or professional writing can sound too casual. Opt for more formal alternatives like "consider" or "it is recommended to explore" when precision and formality are paramount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "why not try" functions as a suggestion or recommendation. It invites consideration of an alternative action, positioning it as a viable option. As Ludwig AI explains, it’s a common way to encourage experimentation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "why not try" is a versatile phrase used to suggest an action or alternative, commonly found in news, media, and general writing contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. While it's suitable for most situations, it may be too informal for highly formal or scientific writing, where alternatives like "consider" or "it is recommended to explore" are more appropriate. Its function is to prompt action or consideration, making it a useful tool for brainstorming and problem-solving. The phrase enjoys very common usage and appears most frequently in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consider giving it a shot

Emphasizes the idea of attempting something, adding a sense of impulsiveness.

how about attempting this

Suggests an attempt in a more inquisitive manner.

have you thought about testing

Focuses on prior consideration and testing as an option.

perhaps you could experiment

Introduces a more formal and experimental approach.

why don't you evaluate

Implies a more thoughtful assessment before acting.

it might be worth examining

Suggests an examination for potential benefits.

you may want to explore

Highlights the potential for discovery and learning.

ever think of undertaking

More formal, implies a commitment to an endeavor.

what about giving a whirl

Casual suggestion to attempt something new.

maybe it's time to investigate

Implies a need for deeper investigation before trying.

FAQs

How can I use "why not try" in a sentence?

You can use "why not try" to offer a suggestion or propose an alternative course of action. For example, "If you're struggling with that recipe, why not try "a different approach"?"

What's a more formal alternative to "why not try"?

In formal settings, consider using phrases such as "it is recommended to explore", "consider", or "we suggest investigating" instead of "why not try" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "why not try" suitable for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "why not try" may sound too informal for academic writing. Opt for more precise and formal language, such as "it would be beneficial to examine" or "consideration should be given to".

What is the difference between "why not try" and "why not attempt"?

While similar, "why not attempt" "why not attempt" can sound slightly more formal than "why not try". The choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.