Understanding verb forms is essential for mastering English grammar. Whether you’re writing formally or speaking casually, using the correct tense and form of a verb helps convey your message clearly. The verb tried is commonly used and recognized, but it represents only one form of the base verb try. To fully grasp how tried functions and how it changes across different tenses, it’s important to explore all its verb forms, their usage, and context. In this topic, we will break down the verb forms of try, including tried, and provide examples to make the concept easy to apply in daily use.
The Base Verb Try
The root form of the verb is try. This is the form you will find in the dictionary and is used when referring to the verb in general. Try is an irregular verb, but it follows a relatively simple pattern compared to many others.
- Base formtry
- Past simpletried
- Past participletried
- Present participle/gerundtrying
- Third-person singulartries
Each of these forms is used in specific grammatical contexts. Let’s explore them in more detail below.
Simple Present Try / Tries
In the present tense, we use try for all subjects except for third-person singular. For he, she, or it, we use tries.
- Itryto eat healthy every day.
- You alwaystryyour best.
- Shetriesto finish her homework before dinner.
- Ittriesto balance itself on the edge.
In these examples, try is used to express regular or habitual actions.
Present Continuous Am/Is/Are Trying
The present participle of try is trying. This form is used in the present continuous tense when something is happening at the moment of speaking.
- Iam tryingto learn Spanish.
- Theyare tryingto fix the broken printer.
- Heis tryingvery hard to stay calm.
This tense adds a sense of immediacy or progression to the action.
Simple Past Tried
Tried is the simple past tense of try. It is used to describe an action that took place and was completed in the past. This is the form most people encounter frequently in everyday English.
- Itriedsushi for the first time last night.
- Shetriedto call you but couldn’t get through.
- Wetriedour best to help him.
Tried expresses that the effort or action was made in the past, regardless of the outcome.
Past Perfect Had Tried
To indicate that an action was completed before another past event, we use the past perfect tense with had tried.
- Theyhad triedeverything before asking for help.
- Ihad triedto warn you about the risks.
This form adds chronological clarity in storytelling or explanation.
Present Perfect Have/Has Tried
Have tried or has tried is used when the action occurred at an unspecified time in the past but still has relevance to the present.
- Ihave triedcalling her several times today.
- Hehas triedmeditation to manage stress.
This form connects the past action with the present situation or outcome.
Future Tense Will Try / Will Have Tried
Simple Future Will Try
Use will try when referring to an action that you intend to do later or in the future.
- Iwill tryto finish the report by tomorrow.
- Shewill tryharder next time.
Future Perfect Will Have Tried
Use will have tried to show that the action will be completed before a certain future point.
- By next week, hewill have triedall available methods.
Using Try with Infinitives and Gerunds
The verb try can be followed by either an infinitive or a gerund, and the meaning changes slightly based on which one is used.
Try + Infinitive (to + verb)
This form is used when someone makes an attempt to do something, often something difficult or new.
- Itried to startthe engine, but it wouldn’t work.
- Hetried to explainthe concept to his classmates.
Try + Gerund (-ing)
This form is used when someone experiments with doing something to see what happens or whether it solves a problem.
- Have youtried turningthe computer off and on again?
- Shetried addingmore sugar, but it was still too bitter.
Common Expressions and Phrases Using Tried
- Tried and trueProven to be reliable or effective.
- He tried his luckHe attempted something uncertain.
- She tried her bestShe made a strong effort.
These idiomatic phrases help express nuances of effort and reliability using the verb try.
Summary Table of Verb Forms of Try
| Form | Example |
|---|---|
| Base Form | They try to arrive on time. |
| Third-person Singular | She tries to stay focused. |
| Present Participle / Gerund | He is trying his best. |
| Simple Past | We tried to reach you yesterday. |
| Past Participle | They have tried many approaches. |
Mastering the verb forms of try, including tried, enhances both writing and speaking skills. Whether you’re describing a past effort, a current action, or a future attempt, knowing how to use the correct form of try is essential. From trying in the present to tried in the past, each form serves a unique grammatical purpose and conveys specific meaning. By understanding and practicing these forms in context, you can become a more confident and effective English communicator.