To Try To vs. To Try And – Which is Correct?

The phrase “to try to” is the grammatically standard and widely accepted form in English, especially in formal writing and speech. While “to try and” is also commonly used, particularly in informal contexts and spoken language, it is generally considered less formal and can sometimes be perceived as ungrammatical by prescriptivists. Opt for “to try to” for clarity and correctness.

To Try To or To Try And – Which is Correct?

When deciding between “to try to” and “to try and,” the distinction lies primarily in formality and grammatical convention. “To try to” is the standard idiomatic construction in English, correctly pairing the verb “try” with an infinitive verb (e.g., “to understand,” “to succeed”). The “to” in “to try to” is part of the infinitive phrase that follows “try,” indicating purpose or intention.

Conversely, “to try and” is an informal construction. While it is prevalent in colloquial speech and some informal writing, it is not grammatically parallel to “try to.” In “try and,” “and” functions as a conjunction, which technically would connect two verbs (“try” and another verb, like “go” in “try and go”). However, in this usage, “and” often serves a similar function to “to” by introducing the intended action, making it an idiomatic expression rather than a strictly grammatical one. For formal contexts, professional writing, and situations where precision is paramount, “to try to” is the unequivocally preferred choice.

Just as with ‘try to’ and ‘try and,’ other common verbs also present choices in their complementation, such as help verb constructions.

Phrase	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
to try to	Verb + Infinitive	To make an effort or attempt to do something.	She will try to finish the report by noon.
to try and	Verb + Conjunction (idiomatic)	To make an effort or attempt to do something (informal).	Let’s try and catch the early train.

How to Use To Try To

“To try to” is the standard and grammatically correct construction used to express an attempt or effort to perform an action. It is followed by a verb in its infinitive form (the base form of the verb preceded by “to”). This construction is suitable for all contexts, from casual conversation to academic papers and formal business communications. It conveys a clear intention to undertake an action, regardless of whether the attempt is successful.

Example 1: You should try to understand the instructions before you begin.

Example 2: The team is working hard to try to meet the deadline.

Example 3: I will try to call you later this evening.

What are the different forms of To Try To?

The “to” in “to try to” is part of the infinitive, so it doesn’t change. The verb “try” itself can be conjugated according to tense, person, and number, while the subsequent infinitive verb remains unchanged.

• Present Simple: I try to, you try to, he/she/it tries to, we try to, they try to
• Past Simple: I tried to, you tried to, he/she/it tried to, we tried to, they tried to
• Present Continuous: I am trying to, you are trying to, he/she/it is trying to
• Past Continuous: I was trying to, you were trying to, he/she/it was trying to
• Future Simple: I will try to, you will try to, he/she/it will try to

Etymology of the word To Try To

The verb “try” comes from Old French trier, meaning “to sift, sort out, examine.” It entered English in the late 13th century with senses related to testing or examining. The construction “try to + infinitive” developed as the standard way to express an attempt or effort to perform an action, aligning with common English grammatical patterns for expressing purpose or intention.

How to Use To Try And

“To try and” is an idiomatic expression primarily used in informal speech and writing. While it is widely understood and often used by native speakers, it is generally not considered grammatically standard in formal contexts. The “and” here does not grammatically connect two parallel verbs in the way a conjunction typically would (e.g., “go and see”). Instead, it functions idiomatically to introduce the intended action, much like “to” in the infinitive. Its usage often carries a slightly more casual or conversational tone.

Example 1: Let’s try and get there before the crowd arrives.

Example 2: Can you try and remember where you put the keys?

Example 3: I’ll try and help you out if I can.

What are the different forms of To Try And?

Similar to “try to,” the verb “try” can be conjugated, while the “and” and the following verb remain unchanged in this construction.

• Present Simple: I try and, you try and, he/she/it tries and, we try and, they try and
• Past Simple: I tried and, you tried and, he/she/it tried and, we tried and, they tried and
• Present Continuous: I am trying and, you are trying and, he/she/it is trying and
• Past Continuous: I was trying and, you were trying and, he/she/it was trying and
• Future Simple: I will try and, you will try and, he/she/it will try and

Etymology of the word To Try And

The use of “and” in constructions like “try and” or “come and see” is an older idiom in English, sometimes referred to as the “imperative and.” While its exact origins are debated, it likely evolved from a coordinate structure where two actions were closely linked, eventually becoming a fixed phrase where “and” introduces the second action as the purpose or result of the first. Over time, this usage became more informal compared to the more grammatically aligned “to + infinitive” construction.

Related Concepts

Understanding the difference between “to try to” and “to try and” involves revisiting the concept of infinitives and the role of conjunctions. An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by “to” (e.g., “to run,” “to eat,” “to sleep”). When “try” is followed by an infinitive, it correctly expresses the effort directed towards that action, as in “try to succeed.” The “to” is integral to the infinitive phrase. In contrast, “and” is a coordinating conjunction used to connect grammatically similar elements (words, phrases, or clauses). In the “try and” construction, “and” is used idiomatically rather than strictly grammatically to introduce the subsequent action. This usage deviates from the standard rule where a conjunction should connect two parallel verbs or clauses. Recognizing the function of infinitives versus conjunctions helps clarify why “to try to” is considered the standard and more grammatically precise choice.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “I must try to think of something, she told herself.” – J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
• “You may try to forget it, but it will not try to forget you.” – Stephen King, The Stand
• “We all try to make sense of the world, to find our place in it.” – Barack Obama, Dreams from My Father
• “Let’s try and make this work,” he said, with a hopeful glint in his eye. – (Common informal usage in dialogue)
• “He decided to try to learn a new language during the lockdown.” – (News article, formal context)

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. She promised to ______ finish the project by Friday. (try to / try and)
2. Can you please ______ help me lift this box? (try to / try and)
3. The company will ______ reduce its carbon footprint. (try to / try and)
4. I always ______ remember my dreams in the morning. (try to / try and)
5. Let’s ______ meet up for coffee sometime next week. (try to / try and)

Answer Key

1. try to
2. try to (or try and, if informal speech is acceptable)
3. try to
4. try to
5. try to (or try and, if informal speech is acceptable)

To Try To Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Attempt	To make an effort to achieve or complete something.
Endeavor	To try hard to do or achieve something.
Strive	To make great efforts to achieve or obtain something.
Aim	To point or direct a course; to intend to achieve.
Seek	To attempt to find or obtain something.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “try and” always incorrect?
No, “try and” is not always incorrect, but its usage depends heavily on context. It is widely accepted in informal speech and writing, and many native speakers use it naturally. However, in formal settings, academic papers, professional communications, or situations requiring strict grammatical adherence, “try to” is the preferred and more appropriate choice.

Question 2: Why is “try to” considered more grammatically correct?
“Try to” is considered more grammatically correct because “to” is part of an infinitive verb phrase (e.g., “to do,” “to see”), which correctly follows the main verb “try” to express an intended action. In contrast, “and” is a conjunction, typically used to connect two parallel grammatical elements. While “try and” is idiomatic, it doesn’t follow this standard grammatical structure as precisely.

Question 3: Does “try and” have a different meaning than “try to”?
Generally, “try and” and “try to” convey the same core meaning of making an effort or attempt. The primary difference lies in their formality and perceived grammatical correctness, not a significant semantic distinction. “Try and” might sometimes imply a slightly more collaborative or immediate action, but this nuance is subtle and context-dependent, not a strict rule.

Conclusion

In summary, while both “to try to” and “to try and” are common in English, “to try to” is the grammatically standard and universally accepted form for expressing an attempt or effort. It is the safest and most appropriate choice for all forms of communication, especially in formal or professional contexts. “To try and” functions as an informal idiom, prevalent in casual speech and writing, but it should be avoided when precision and formality are required. Choosing “to try to” ensures clarity and adherence to conventional grammar.

Pro Tip: When in doubt, always default to “to try to.” It is never considered incorrect and will always maintain a professional and polished tone in your writing and speech, safeguarding your credibility.