gave it a try vs tried it

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Gave it a try' is commonly used when someone attempts something for the first time or makes an effort to do something. 'Tried it' is more straightforward and can be used to simply state that someone attempted something.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 3256 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"gave it a try"

This phrase is used when someone attempts something for the first time or makes an effort to do something. It implies giving something a chance or making an attempt.

Examples:

I gave it a try, but I couldn't solve the puzzle.
She gave it a try and ended up loving the new hobby.
He gave it a try, but it was too difficult for him.
We gave it a try, but it didn't work out as we expected.
They gave it a try, but decided it wasn't for them.

Show examples from the web [+]

I'm sorry, but we gave it a try and it...
Vincent, I gave it a try.
Okay, look, you gave it a try, but this quilt thing is not going to work.
We gave it a try, so all is not wasted.
Joyce gave it a try, but it should be possible to do better.
They gave it a try but it didn't work.
I gave it a try, and it's not for me.
And early in the morning one day in the summer of 2004, we gave it a try, and it worked on the first try.
I gave it a try but somehow...
Okay, look, you gave it a try, but this quilt thing is not going to work.
So I gave it a try. I wrote to the Enron people.

Alternatives:

attempted it
tried it out
gave it a shot
gave it a go
experimented with it

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"tried it"

This phrase is more straightforward and can be used to simply state that someone attempted something. It is a concise way to convey the action of trying something.

Examples:

I tried it, but it didn't work.
She tried it and found it to be delicious.
He tried it, but it wasn't what he expected.
We tried it, but it was too complicated.
They tried it, but it wasn't their cup of tea.

Show examples from the web [+]

We tried it your way, addy.
- He's probably never tried it.
I've tried it a few times.
I just tried it on because it's so lovely.
It knocked me clean out last time I tried it.
-I tried it at summer camp.
I may have tried it once or twice.
We tried it once your way, Khan.
We tried it your way, Khan.
I already tried it, Shepherd.
Anyway. I never tried it.
Actually, I tried it once.
I tried it, but nothing happened
I've tried it on 7,000 times.
Guess what. I tried it.
When I first tried it out, it kept bringing up Buffy fan sites.
I tried it a couple times.
You must have tried it with a mismatched donor.
Four years ago we tried it at Alma-Ata.
I know. I tried it once myself.

Alternatives:

attempted it
gave it a shot
gave it a go
experimented with it
tested it

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gave it a try vs tried it

"gave it a try"

"tried it"

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