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to try for

to try for

127 3.1
Make a strong effort to get something you want
  • phrasal verb
: intentar conseguir
  • Roland talked about joining the Guard, maybe trying for one of the peacekeeping units.
  • try for years

Today I'm going to be trying for like the fifth time to reorganize my bookshelves.

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Examples

  • Me and my husband have decided to try for another baby.

  • All right, let's try for one first.

  • We have been trying for several months.

  • Are you going to try for a different life?

  • We can try for another baby, anything you want.

  • We have been trying for years in Mexico to change the legal framework.

  • I've been trying for five years.

  • After we tried for many years, the Lord finally helped my wife conceive a baby.

  • By mid-May, Team Jordan felt ready to try for the summit.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Dev and I have been trying for a kid for a long time.

Synonyms

to trying
vsto try for
∞ 1.0

To make an effort to do something

is specifically about determined action to obtain something rather than general effort
to seek
vsto try for
∞ 1.0

Try to find or get something you want

covers finding or getting broadly, not only the determined single effort
to attempt
vsto try for
∞ 1.3

To try to do something that is difficult or new

focuses on determined effort to obtain results rather than a single quick effort
to pursue
vsto try for
877 3.5

To try to get something you want, like a job or a goal

focuses on steady long term pursuit rather than a single determined effort
to go for
vsto try for
728 2.5

To try to get something you want by making an effort

is a determined effort to obtain something rather than a casual choice
to aim at
vsto try for
250 2.3

Try to reach a goal

is a determined effort to obtain something, not only focusing direction
to strive
vsto try for
192 3.7

To work very hard to reach a goal

focuses on determined effort to obtain something rather than extreme exertion
to give a try
vsto try for
134 1.6

To do something new to see if you can do it

is a determined effort to obtain something, not only a preliminary experiment
to aim for
vsto try for
112 2.8

To try to reach a goal

is a determined effort to obtain something, not only directing actions
to quest for
vsto try for
67 5.4

To search for something that is hard to find

is a determined effort to obtain something rather than an extended search or journey
to shoot for
vsto try for
  • Informal
41 3.9

To try to reach a big, difficult goal

is a determined effort to obtain something, not only setting ambitious goals
to take a shot at
vsto try for
  • Informal
39 3.7

To try to do something even when success is uncertain

is a determined effort to obtain something rather than an informal quick action
to try our best
vsto try for
18 2.1

To make as much effort as you can to reach a goal

is a determined effort to obtain something, not necessarily maximum intensity
to take a stab at
vsto try for
  • Informal
12 5.3

To try to do something when you are not sure you will succeed

is a determined effort to obtain something rather than a short uncertain effort
to put forth
vsto try for
11 4.1

To try hard to do something

is a determined effort aimed at obtaining something rather than a casual action
to spare no effort
vsto try for
2 3.9

Do everything possible to achieve something

is about determined effort but not necessarily the absolute maximum possible
to have a stab at
vsto try for
  • UK
1 5.3

To try to do something when you are not sure you will succeed

is a determined effort to obtain something rather than a casual uncertain action
to do one's best
vsto try for
1 2.5

To try as hard as you can to do something well

is about determined effort to get something rather than general performance
to make a fist of
vsto try for
  • UK
1 8.2

Try hard to do a difficult task and succeed a little

is a determined effort to obtain something rather than merely coping with difficulty

Antonyms

201 3.8

Stop supporting an idea or plan

How Determined

to fight
∞ 1.0
to struggle
∞ 2.8
to strive
192 3.7
to try for
127 3.1
to aim for
112 2.8

Surface Forms

try for infinitive
tried for past
tried for past participle
trying for present participle
tries for third person singular

Morphology

try + for

The meaning 'to attempt to obtain or achieve something' is directly derived from combining 'try' (to attempt) with 'for' (marking the target, purpose, or goal); the preposition signals what is being sought. This goal-directed composition is a common, compositional pattern in English (and parallels exist in many languages), so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

The phrasal verb try for comes from the simple image of aiming at a target or prize: you try and reach for something you want. That's why it means 'to try to get or win something'.