try
- attempt
Both these words can be verbs or nouns. The other forms of try are tries, trying, tried.
‘try’ used as a verb
If you try to do something, you make an effort to do it.
My sister tried to cheer me up.
He was trying his best to understand.
You can also try and do something. There is no difference in meaning, but try and do is used in conversation and less formal writing. In formal English, use try to do.
Try and see how many of these questions you can answer.
Please try and help me to cope with this.
We must try and understand.
Be careful
You can only use and after the base form of try – that is, when you are using it as an imperative or infinitive, or after a modal. You cannot say, for example, ‘I was trying and help her’ or ‘I was trying and helping her’.
You can only use and after the base form of try – that is, when you are using it as an imperative or infinitive, or after a modal. You cannot say, for example, ‘I was trying and help her’ or ‘I was trying and helping her’.
If you try doing something, you do it in order to find out how useful, effective, or enjoyable it is.
He tried changing the subject.
Have you ever tried painting?
‘attempt’ used as a verb
If you attempt to do something, you try to do it. Attempt is a more formal word than try.
Some of the crowd attempted to break through the police lines.
Rescue workers attempted to cut him from the crashed vehicle.
Be careful
You don't say ‘The crowd attempted and break through or `The crowd attempted breaking through’.
You don't say ‘The crowd attempted and break through or `The crowd attempted breaking through’.
‘try’ and ‘attempt’ used as nouns
When someone tries to do something, you can refer to what they do as a try or an attempt. Try is normally used only in conversation and less formal writing. In formal English, you usually talk about an attempt.
After a few tries they gave up.
The young birds manage to fly several kilometres at their first attempt.
You say that someone has a try at something or gives something a try.
You've had a good try at it.
‘I’ll go and see him in the morning.' – ‘Yes, give it a try.’
You say that someone makes an attempt to do something.
He made an attempt to call Courtney; she wasn't in.
Two recent reports made an attempt to assess the success of the project.