- Do you often wonder if you should “try to do” something or “try doing” something?
- Have you ever felt unsure how to talk about making an effort or experimenting with something new?
- Struggling to sound more natural and fluent when using the word “try” in English?
Understanding collocations—words that commonly go together—is a game-changer for English learners. Instead of translating word-for-word, learning collocations for a common word like “try” helps you speak more naturally, understand native speakers better, and boost your confidence. Dive in to unlock the power of “try”!
Common Collocations with TRY as a Verb
As a verb, ‘try’ means to make an effort to do something, to test something, or to attempt. It’s one of the most versatile verbs in English, and its meaning often shifts slightly depending on the words it pairs with.
Expressing Effort or Attempt (Try + Infinitive / -ing)
This is perhaps the most common use of ‘try’, focusing on making an effort or an attempt.
- try to do something (to make an effort to achieve something)
- I will try to learn a new language this year.
- She tried to explain the complex theory simply.
- try doing something (to experiment with an action to see if it helps or works)
- If you can’t sleep, try reading a book before bed.
- My computer isn’t working; I’ll try restarting it.
- try hard (to make a great effort)
- You need to try hard if you want to pass the exam.
- Even though it was difficult, she always tried hard.
- try your best (to make the greatest possible effort)
- Just try your best, and that’s all that matters.
- We decided to try our best to finish the project on time.
- try again (to make another attempt)
- The first attempt failed, so let’s try again.
- Don’t give up! Just try again with more focus.
Experimenting or Testing (Try + Noun)
When ‘try’ is followed by a noun, it often implies testing, sampling, or experimenting with something new.
- try on clothes (to put on an item of clothing to see if it fits or suits you)
- I need to try on these shoes before buying them.
- She spent an hour trying on dresses in the boutique.
- try a new recipe (to cook or eat a dish for the first time)
- Tonight, I want to try a new recipe for pasta.
- Have you ever tried a new recipe that turned out perfectly?
- try a different approach (to use a new method or strategy)
- If the current method isn’t working, we should try a different approach.
- The team decided to try a different approach to solve the problem.
- try out a product/service (to test something to see how good or effective it is)
- I’m going to try out this new software for a month.
- They invited customers to try out their new coffee machine.
- try your luck (to attempt something risky hoping for a good outcome)
- I’m going to try my luck at the casino tonight.
- He decided to try his luck at the lottery.
Facing a Challenge or Difficulty (Try + Prepositional Phrase)
These collocations highlight ‘try’ in the context of overcoming obstacles.
- try against all odds (to make an effort despite very little chance of success)
- They continued to try against all odds to rescue the trapped climbers.
- It seemed impossible, but she decided to try against all odds.
- try for a position/scholarship (to apply or compete for something)
- She’s going to try for that management position.
- Many students try for prestigious scholarships every year.
Essential Collocations using TRY as a Noun
When ‘try’ functions as a noun, it refers to an attempt or an effort made. It’s often preceded by a verb or an adjective.
Making an Attempt (Verb + Try)
These phrases describe the act of making an effort.
- give something a try (to attempt something, often for the first time or as an experiment)
- This new recipe looks interesting; let’s give it a try.
- I’ve never played tennis before, but I’ll give it a try.
- have a try (to make an attempt, similar to ‘give a try’)
- Why don’t you have a try at solving this puzzle?
- Everyone gets a chance to have a try at the game.
- make a try (to make an effort or attempt, often formal or in sports)
- The team needs to make a strong try in the second half.
- He decided to make a try for the world record.
Describing the Attempt (Adjective + Try)
Adjectives can qualify the nature or quality of an attempt.
- a first try (the initial attempt at something)
- It wasn’t perfect, but it was a good first try.
- Don’t be discouraged if your first try isn’t successful.
- a good/brave/valiant try (a commendable effort, even if unsuccessful)
- You didn’t win, but it was a good try.
- Despite the odds, it was a brave try from the small team.
Master Summary Table: Key Collocations with TRY
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| try to do something | Verb | Make an effort to achieve something |
| try doing something | Verb | Experiment with an action to see if it helps |
| try hard | Verb | Make a great effort |
| try your best | Verb | Make the greatest possible effort |
| try on clothes | Verb | Put on clothes to check fit/suitability |
| try a new recipe | Verb | Cook/eat a dish for the first time |
| try out a product | Verb | Test something to assess its effectiveness |
| give it a try | Noun (idiom) | Attempt something, often for the first time |
| a good try | Noun | A commendable effort |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
English learners often make direct translations from their native language, leading to phrases that are grammatically correct but sound unnatural to a native speaker. Let’s refine your usage!
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| I will *try my force* to finish the task. | I will try my best to finish the task. |
| You should *try this food* for taste. | You should try this food. (Simple ‘try’ is sufficient, or ‘give this food a try’) |
| Can I *try on* this car? | Can I try out this car? (Use ‘try out’ for vehicles, ‘try on’ for clothes) |
| I am *trying for finding* a solution. | I am trying to find a solution. (Use ‘try to + infinitive’ for effort) |
| It was *a try good*. | It was a good try. (Adjective before noun) |
Subject: Project Launch Feedback
Hi Team,
I know we all had to try hard to get the new software ready for launch, and I truly appreciate everyone’s dedication. There were moments when we had to try a different approach to overcome unexpected challenges. I hope you’ll all give the new features a try and provide your feedback. We’re always striving for improvement, so please try to identify any areas where we can make it even better. Even if something seems like a minor issue, please report it. Remember, it’s always worth making a good try at perfection!
Frequently Asked Questions about Try Collocations
What’s the difference between “try to do” and “try doing”?
This is a classic point of confusion! “Try to do something” means you make an effort to achieve something, implying a deliberate attempt that may or may not succeed. For example, “I will try to learn Spanish” means I’ll make an effort. “Try doing something” means you perform an action as an experiment to see if it helps solve a problem or to see what happens. For example, “If your computer is slow, try restarting it” means experiment with restarting to see if it fixes the issue.
Are there specific prepositions commonly used with “try”?
Yes, while “try” often pairs with an infinitive or -ing form directly, it can combine with prepositions to form phrasal verbs or specific meanings. Common ones include: “try for” (to attempt to get or achieve something, e.g., “try for a scholarship”), “try out” (to test something, e.g., “try out a new car”), and less commonly, “try against” (to make an effort in opposition to something, often in legal contexts, e.g., “try a case against someone”).
Can “try” as a noun be used informally?
Absolutely! Phrases like “give it a try” or “have a try” are very common in everyday, informal conversation. For example, “I’ve never made pizza from scratch, but I’ll give it a try tonight!” or “Want to play a game? You can have a try first.” These are natural ways to talk about attempting something new or challenging.
How does “try” relate to synonyms like “attempt” or “endeavor”?
“Try” is the most common and versatile of these words. “Attempt” is a good synonym for “try to do something” and can often be used interchangeably, though “attempt” can sometimes sound a little more formal or serious (e.g., “an attempt on his life”). “Endeavor” is a much more formal word, often implying a sustained and serious effort towards a noble or difficult goal (e.g., “a scholarly endeavor”). For everyday usage, stick with “try.”
What’s the best way to remember “try” collocations?
The best way is through active practice and context! Don’t just memorize lists. When you learn a new collocation like “try your best,” try to create your own sentences using it. Look for these collocations in English media (books, movies, podcasts). Pay attention to how native speakers use “try.” Regularly reviewing these phrases and making them part of your active vocabulary will significantly improve your fluency and recall.
I teach ESL, and this breakdown is excellent for visual learners. The 'effort vs. experiment' mental model is so strong. Any chance you'd make an infographic for this?
That's a fantastic suggestion, Sophie! We're always looking for ways to make our content even more accessible and engaging, especially for teachers like yourself. An infographic on 'try to do' vs 'try doing' is definitely something we'll consider for the future. Thank you for the idea!
Thank you for this clear explanation! I always wondered about the nuance. Now I feel more confident to try using both forms correctly.
You're very welcome, Hiroshi! Confidence in using English naturally is exactly what we aim for. Keep practicing with different scenarios, and you'll find these collocations becoming second nature in no time!
This was super helpful! I used to just guess, and I think I was right sometimes, but now I understand *why*. I'm going to try to identify these collocations more often when I read English books.
That's a brilliant strategy, Fatoumata! Actively noticing these patterns in authentic materials like books and articles is one of the most effective ways to internalize them. The more you observe, the more natural they'll become in your own speech and writing. Keep up the great detective work!
I often mix these up. Is there a general rule of thumb when to lean towards 'to do' versus 'doing' if I'm not entirely sure? Or is it really just about the 'effort vs. experiment' distinction every time?
That's a common challenge, Liam! The 'effort vs. experiment' distinction is indeed the most reliable rule of thumb. If you're struggling to achieve something, use 'try to do.' If you're testing an action to see what happens or if it yields a desired result, use 'try doing.' Thinking about the *purpose* behind the 'try' will almost always guide you to the correct form. Don't worry if it takes practice; it's a subtle but important difference.
My English tutor always tells me to pay attention to collocations. This article is a great resource to understand why. I'm going to try to use more 'try doing' phrases now!
That's fantastic, Camila! Your tutor is absolutely right; collocations are key to sounding more native. It's great to hear you're motivated to 'try using' these phrases. Remember, consistent practice is your best friend when it comes to integrating new language patterns into your speech. Keep up the excellent work!
So if someone says 'Try calling him later,' it means I should try to make the call and see what happens, like an experiment to see if he picks up or if the issue is resolved, right? Not necessarily a huge effort on my part.
Precisely, Kwasi! You've grasped the nuance perfectly. 'Try calling him later' is a suggestion to experiment with the action of calling to see the outcome. It's not about the effort of dialing the phone, but the result of the attempt itself. Excellent deduction!
This article makes me want to try writing a short story in English! I usually get stuck on grammar, but focusing on these natural collocations feels like a more fluid way to improve.
That's a wonderful goal, Anya! 'Try writing a short story' is the perfect application of what you've learned – experimenting with your creativity in English. Focusing on collocations truly helps build fluency and confidence, allowing you to move beyond rigid grammar rules into more natural expression. We encourage you to 'try doing it' and share your experience!
Est-ce qu'on peut dire 'I will try my best'? Is that also a collocation? It's not 'try to do' or 'try doing,' so I'm curious where it fits.
Bonjour Jean-Luc! Yes, 'I will try my best' is absolutely a very common and natural collocation with 'try'! In this case, 'try' is followed by a noun phrase ('my best') and functions slightly differently from 'try + infinitive' or 'try + gerund.' It's a fixed phrase meaning 'to make the greatest possible effort.' It falls under the broader umbrella of understanding how 'try' pairs with various words and phrases to create natural English expressions. Excellent observation!
I'm always trying to improve my English, and articles like this really help. Short, clear, and very practical. I've bookmarked this for future reference!
Thank you, Maria! We're so glad you find our articles practical and helpful. Your dedication to improving your English is truly inspiring! Keep up the excellent work, and never hesitate to reach out if you have more questions.
What about 'try on'? Is that a phrasal verb or another type of collocation? I use it all the time for clothes, but I'm not sure if it fits this discussion about 'try to do/doing.'
That's a very insightful observation, Chen! 'Try on' is indeed a phrasal verb, and while 'try' is its base, it functions differently. Phrasal verbs often have idiomatic meanings and are a whole other category of collocations. In 'try on,' 'on' completes the meaning of 'to test by wearing.' While related to the idea of 'testing' or 'experimenting' with something, it's a specific phrasal verb rather than the gerund/infinitive pattern we discussed. Great question for expanding your understanding!