try

I don't know if I can come but I'll try.

try to do something

What are you trying to do?

I tried hard not to laugh.

You haven’t even tried to find it.

Don’t try to do it too quickly.

I kept trying to remember where I had seen him before.

I was just trying to help!

She was desperately trying to stay afloat.

try your best/hardest (to do something)

She tried her best to solve the problem.

Just try your hardest.

try doing something

I tried calling him but there was no answer.

Just try getting a plumber at the weekend!

He tried and tried but he could not climb out.

Please try again later.

In spoken English try and can be used with another verb, instead of try to and the infinitive: I'll try and get you a new one tomorrow. • Try and finish quickly. In this structure, only the form try can be used, not tries, trying or tried.

Collocations

adverb

verb + try

phrases

be just trying to do something

be only trying to do something

give up trying…

try something

Have you tried this new coffee? It's very good.

‘Would you like to try some raw fish?’ ‘Why not? I'll try anything once!’

I'd like to try something new.

I'm having a caffeine-free week. You should try it.

Have you ever tried windsurfing?

Try these shoes for size—they should fit you.

She tried the door, but it was locked.

try something on somebody/something

The treatment has not yet been tried on patients.

try doing something

John isn't here. Try phoning his mobile.

There is sometimes a difference between try to do something and try doing something: You should try to eat more fruit. means ‘You should make an effort to eat more fruit.’; You should try eating more fruit. means ‘You should see if eating more fruit will help you’ (to feel better, for example). However, in some cases there is no real difference in meaning: I tried to call a plumber. can mean the same as I tried calling a plumber. : both mean ‘I tried and failed to call a plumber.’

try somebody (for something)

He was tried for murder.

try something

The case was tried before a jury.

I doubt they'll be able to help but it's worth a try (= worth asking them).

try at doing something

Why don't you have a try at convincing him?

(North American English) The US negotiators decided to make another try at reaching a settlement.

try at something

This is my first try at fiction.

(informal) ‘What's that behind you?’ ‘Nice try (= at making me turn round), but you'll have to do better than that!’

Collocations

adjective

verb + try

preposition

I don't think I'll be any good at tennis, but I'll give it a try.

3 (in rugby) an act of scoring points by touching the ground behind your opponents’ goal line with the ball

to score a try

an excellent try by winger Neil Lang

Collocations

adjective

verb + try

preposition

try against]

try by]

try from

Word Origin