try

/traɪ/ (bre, ipa) · /traɪ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtrī/ (ame, mw)

try — 動詞

  • 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

1.動詞及物 / 不及物A1
釋義

嘗試；努力

付出努力去做某事

to do something with the aim of succeeding, especially when the action is hard or the result is unknown.

例句

Christopher tried to open the window, but the handle was stuck.

Christopher 試著打開窗戶，但把手卡住了。

try + to-infinitive for effort toward a goal

If you cannot sleep, try drinking warm milk before you go to bed.

如果你睡不著，試試上床前喝杯溫牛奶。

try + -ing form for suggesting a method

同義詞
  • attempt

    more formal; often used in writing rather than conversation

  • strive

    implies great effort over a longer period, often with strong motivation

  • endeavour

    formal; suggests a serious, sustained attempt, especially in British English

反義詞
  • give up

    to stop trying because success seems impossible

  • abandon

    to leave an effort permanently before it is complete

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

❌I tried to calling him.
✅I tried to call him.
💡after try + to-infinitive, the second verb must be the base form.
❌He tried hard passing the exam.
✅He tried hard to pass the exam.
💡try hard is followed by to-infinitive, not the -ing form.
❌Why not try to add more salt and see if it tastes better?
✅Why not try adding more salt and see if it tastes better?
💡when suggesting an experiment, use the -ing form.

2. to experience or operate something briefly in order to judge its quality, useful

2.動詞及物A2
釋義

試用；試吃

試著使用或體驗以判斷好壞

to experience or operate something briefly in order to judge its quality, usefulness, or effectiveness before making a final choice.

例句

Dewi tried a new Thai recipe for dinner, and her family loved it.

Dewi 嘗試做了一道新的泰式料理當晚餐，家人都很喜歡。

try + noun phrase for testing a new thing

Before buying the sofa, Ife tried sitting on it in the showroom.

Ife 在買沙發之前，先在展示間試坐了一下。

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • reject

    to decide not to use something, often after testing

  • avoid

    to keep away from something without trying it at all

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

❌I tried to the new shampoo.
✅I tried the new shampoo.
💡use the noun phrase directly, not with 'to'.

3. to hear the evidence and facts of a legal case in a court of law and reach a for

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

審判；審理

在法庭上審理案件以決定有罪與否

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.

例句

The former banker was tried for fraud in a London court.

那位前銀行家在倫敦的法院因詐欺罪受審。

passive: be tried for [crime]

Judge Ryo will try the case starting next Monday.

Ryo 法官將於下週一審理這個案件。

active: judge tries a case

同義詞
  • 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

❌He was trialed for theft.
✅He was tried for theft.
💡the past participle is tried, not trialed.

4. to cause someone to feel annoyed, impatient, or upset, especially through repeat

4.動詞及物B2
釋義

考驗；折騰

一再困擾而耗損耐心

to cause someone to feel annoyed, impatient, or upset, especially through repeated small problems or demands.

例句

The constant noise from the building site tried Henry's patience every day.

建築工地持續傳來的噪音每天都在考驗 Henry 的耐心。

collocation: try + possessive + patience

Jisoo's habit of arriving late began to try her colleagues at work.

Jisoo 愛遲到的習慣開始讓她的同事感到困擾。

同義詞
  • test

    more general; can refer to any kind of challenge

  • strain

    suggests putting pressure on a relationship or system

  • irritate

    less formal; focuses on the feeling of annoyance

反義詞
  • soothe

    to calm someone down, the opposite of causing irritation

  • ease

    to make a situation less difficult or stressful

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

❌My brother tries me when he sings.
✅My brother tries my patience when he sings.
💡the object is usually 'patience' rather than a person directly.

try — 名詞