worth a try

USAGE SUMMARY

'worth a try' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are making a suggestion to someone, such as suggesting a possible solution to a problem. For example: "It might not work, but I think it's worth a try."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Worth a try, surely.

The Economist

It's worth a try.

The New York Times - Sports

Anything's worth a try, right?

The New York Times

But definitely worth a try.

The New Yorker

It was worth a try.

The New York Times - Food

It's certainly worth a try.

The New York Times

Anything's worth a try.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Definitely worth a try.

The New York Times

But it is well worth a try.

The New York Times

So, FastCustomer seemed well worth a try.

The New York Times

It seemed worth a try.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "worth a try" to encourage action when the outcome is uncertain but the potential benefits outweigh the risks. Be specific about why it's worth the attempt.

Common error

Avoid using "worth a try" as a generic response without providing a clear rationale. Always explain the potential benefits or low risks associated with the suggested attempt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worth a try" functions as an adjective phrase that describes something as deserving an attempt or effort. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It usually serves as a suggestion or recommendation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

12%

Lifestyle

8%

Less common in

Sport

3%

Opinion

3%

Arts

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "worth a try" is an adjective phrase used to suggest an attempt when the outcome is uncertain but potentially beneficial. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage. It is a versatile phrase that can be used across various contexts, including news, media, and academia. While its tone is generally neutral, the recommendation is to provide specific reasons why an attempt is worthwhile to avoid generic or unhelpful suggestions. Alternatives such as "deserves an attempt" or "merits consideration" can be used to add nuance, but "worth a try" remains a widely accepted and useful phrase in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deserves an attempt

Emphasizes the justification for trying something.

merits consideration

Highlights the need for thoughtful evaluation before dismissing an option.

is advisable to attempt

Suggests that attempting something is a sensible course of action.

might be beneficial to attempt

Focuses on the potential positive outcome of trying something.

could be worth exploring

Suggests a more in-depth investigation or trial.

is potentially worthwhile

Indicates the possibility of a valuable result from an action.

bears some prospect of success

Highlights the expectation that there's some chance of achieving the goal.

justifies an experimental effort

Suggests attempting as an experiment, knowing there's no guarantee to work.

presents an opportunity

Emphasizes the chance or possibility that an action presents.

is not unreasonable to attempt

Indicates that there is no strong reason not to attempt it.

FAQs

How can I use "worth a try" in a sentence?

You can use "worth a try" when suggesting an action with uncertain results but potential benefits. For example, "I'm not sure it will work, but it's "worth a try"."

What are some alternatives to "worth a try"?

Alternatives include "deserves an attempt", "merits consideration", or "is advisable to attempt", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to say something is "worth a try"?

It's appropriate when the potential benefits outweigh the risks, even if the outcome is uncertain. It implies that the action is sensible or reasonable to attempt.

Is "worth a try" formal or informal?

"Worth a try" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings. Its appropriateness depends more on the context than the setting.