try
/traɪ/ (bre, ipa) · /traɪ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtrī/ (ame, mw)
try — verb
- trypresent simple I / you / we / they
- trieshe / she / it
- triedpast simple
- trying-ing form
1. to do something with the aim of succeeding, especially when the action is hard o
to do something with the aim of succeeding, especially when the action is hard or the result is unknown.
Christopher tried to open the window, but the handle was stuck.
try + to-infinitive for effort toward a goal
If you cannot sleep, try drinking warm milk before you go to bed.
try + -ing form for suggesting a method
Hari tried his best to finish the marathon despite the pain in his leg.
The children tried to build a treehouse and finished it just before dark.
文法句型
try + to-infinitive for making an effort
try + -ing form for experimenting with a method
try + possessive + best / hardest
用法筆記
Try + to-infinitive focuses on the effort toward a goal; try + -ing form focuses on experimenting with a method. Both are grammatically correct, but the meaning changes.
常見錯誤
2. to experience or operate something briefly in order to judge its quality, useful
to experience or operate something briefly in order to judge its quality, usefulness, or effectiveness before making a final choice.
Dewi tried a new Thai recipe for dinner, and her family loved it.
try + noun phrase for testing a new thing
Before buying the sofa, Ife tried sitting on it in the showroom.
Gabriela tried the new app for a week before paying for it.
The doctor tried a different treatment when the first one did not help.
- test
more deliberate; often involves checking for problems
- sample
specifically about tasting food or trying a small amount
- experiment with
suggests trying several options to compare results
文法句型
try + noun phrase for testing something
try + -ing form for sampling an experience
用法筆記
In this sense the object is a product, method, food, activity, or experience being evaluated. Contrast with Sense 1 where the object (or to-infinitive) is a task being attempted.
常見錯誤
3. to hear the evidence and facts of a legal case in a court of law and reach a for
to hear the evidence and facts of a legal case in a court of law and reach a formal decision about whether the accused person is guilty or not guilty.
The former banker was tried for fraud in a London court.
passive: be tried for [crime]
Judge Ryo will try the case starting next Monday.
active: judge tries a case
Stefan was tried and found not guilty of all charges.
The lawyer who tried the case had worked on similar trials before.
- prosecute
specifically about the state bringing charges against someone; narrower in scope
- adjudicate
formal; refers to the judge's role in making a legal decision
文法句型
try + somebody + for + crime
be tried for + crime
be tried at + court / place
用法筆記
Frequently passive (be tried) when the subject is the accused person. The active subject can be a judge (presiding over the case) or a lawyer (representing a side in court).
常見錯誤
4. to cause someone to feel annoyed, impatient, or upset, especially through repeat
to cause someone to feel annoyed, impatient, or upset, especially through repeated small problems or demands.
The constant noise from the building site tried Henry's patience every day.
collocation: try + possessive + patience
Jisoo's habit of arriving late began to try her colleagues at work.
The broken lift tried everyone's patience in the apartment building.
Nala's constant questions during the meeting tried the manager's patience.
文法句型
try + somebody
try + possessive + patience
用法筆記
This sense is more formal than 'annoy' or 'irritate'. It is most commonly used with 'patience' as the direct object. The subject is typically a situation or repeated behaviour, not a person acting deliberately.
常見錯誤
try — noun
- trysingular
- triesplural
1. an effort to do or achieve something, especially when the result is not certain
an effort to do or achieve something, especially when the result is not certain and you may need to try more than once.
Mira made a brave try at climbing the mountain before the storm came.
make a try at + noun phrase
This was Hari's third try at passing the driving test this year.
ordinal + try at + -ing form
It took several tries, but Dahlia finally solved the tricky puzzle.
Ilan gave yoga a try and found that it helped him relax after work.
文法句型
have a try
make a try
give something a try
it is worth a try
用法筆記
Often used in phrases like 'give it a try', 'worth a try', 'have a try'. These are informal and very common in everyday speech.
常見錯誤
2. in rugby, a score worth five points, achieved by touching down with the ball bey
in rugby, a score worth five points, achieved by touching down with the ball beyond the opponents' scoring area at the far end of the field.
Tamás scored the winning try in the final minute of the match.
score a try
The crowd cheered when the referee awarded a try after reviewing the play.
Ryo ran past three defenders to score a try in the final match.
The winger sprinted down the sideline and scored a try in the corner.
文法句型
score a try
用法筆記
A try is worth five points in rugby union. After scoring a try, the team also gets a chance to kick the ball through the goalposts for two extra points (a conversion).
3. in American football, a single scoring attempt that takes place after a touchdow
in American football, a single scoring attempt that takes place after a touchdown, where the team can add one point with a kick through the uprights or two points by reaching the end zone with the ball via a run or a pass.
Élise completed a pass in the end zone for a successful two-point try.
two-point try
The kicker's try was blocked by the defensive line at the last moment.
The coach decided to go for a two-point try instead of the easy kick.
On the extra-point try, the holder dropped the ball and the play failed.
文法句型
two-point try
extra-point try
用法筆記
A standard extra-point kick is worth one point; a two-point try (running or passing into the end zone) is worth two points. This sense is used mainly in discussions of American football rules and play-by-play commentary.