B2 verb 2 Min. Lesezeit

审判

To make an attempt to do something or to put someone on trial in a court of law.

shěnpàn
Practice it

Explanation at your level:

You use try when you want to do something new. For example, 'I try to eat fruit.' It means you are doing your best to make it happen. It is a very helpful word for your daily life.

At this level, you use try to talk about effort. You can say 'I am trying to learn English.' You can also use it for testing things, like 'I will try this shirt on.' It is a very common action word.

You can use try to describe persistence. 'I tried and tried, but I couldn't open the door.' It is also used in legal contexts, such as 'The suspect will be tried next week.' This shows you understand the difference between effort and legal judgment.

At this stage, you encounter idioms like 'try one's patience' or 'try one's hand at.' You also recognize the nuance between 'trying to do' (attempting) and 'trying doing' (experimenting). You can use it to discuss complex situations where results are uncertain.

In advanced English, try functions in sophisticated ways. You might describe a 'trying time' (a difficult period). You also see its use in academic discourse, such as 'the evidence was tried in the court of public opinion,' using the word metaphorically to imply a rigorous examination.

Mastery involves understanding the etymological roots of 'sifting' or 'refining.' You can use it in literary contexts to describe the 'trying' of a soul or character. You also master the subtle register shifts between the casual 'give it a go' and the formal 'adjudicate/try' in legal settings.

Wort in 30 Sekunden

  • High-frequency verb for effort.
  • Commonly used in legal contexts.
  • Spelling changes: tries/tried.
  • Versatile for daily life.

When you try something, you are putting in an effort to see if it works or if you can succeed. It is one of the most versatile verbs in English, used for everything from tasting new food to attempting a difficult math problem.

Beyond personal effort, try carries a significant legal weight. When a court decides to try a suspect, they are putting that person through a formal trial to determine their guilt or innocence based on the law.

The word try comes from the Old French word trier, which meant 'to sift' or 'to select'. It originally referred to the process of separating grain from chaff, essentially 'testing' the quality of the harvest.

By the 14th century, the meaning expanded into the legal realm. Just as one would sift through grain to find the good parts, a judge would 'sift' through evidence to find the truth. It is fascinating how a word for farming became a pillar of our justice system!

In daily life, we often use try followed by an infinitive, like 'I will try to finish.' If you are experimenting with something, you might use the gerund form: 'I tried baking bread.' It is a very neutral, high-frequency verb.

In formal settings, you will hear 'the defendant will be tried for his crimes.' This usage is strictly legal and carries a serious tone. Always be mindful of the context so you do not confuse a casual attempt with a courtroom procedure.

Give it a whirl: To attempt something new. Example: I've never skated, but I'll give it a whirl.

Try one's hand: To attempt a new skill. Example: She wants to try her hand at painting.

Try someone's patience: To annoy someone. Example: Your constant talking is trying my patience.

Try on for size: To test an idea. Example: Let's try that plan on for size.

Try your luck: To take a chance. Example: We went to the casino to try our luck.

The verb try is regular but has a spelling change in the third-person singular (tries) and past tense (tried). Note the 'y' changes to 'i' before adding -es or -ed.

Pronounced as /traɪ/, it rhymes with sky, fly, pie, sigh, and my. It is a single-syllable word that is almost always stressed when spoken in a sentence.

Fun Fact

It originally referred to sifting grain.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /traɪ/

Crisp 'tr' sound followed by a long 'eye' vowel.

US /traɪ/

Very similar to UK, clear 'r' sound.

Common Errors

  • pronouncing 'try' like 'tree'
  • forgetting the 'r' sound
  • making the vowel too short

Rhymes With

sky fly pie sigh my

Difficulty Rating

Lesen 1/5

Very easy to read

Writing 1/5

Easy to use

Speaking 1/5

Essential verb

Hören 1/5

Easy to hear

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

do make go

Learn Next

attempt endeavor adjudicate

Fortgeschritten

litigation perseverance

Grammar to Know

Infinitive vs Gerund

Try to do vs Try doing

Past Tense Spelling

Try -> Tried

Third Person Singular

Try -> Tries

Examples by Level

1

I try to read.

I make an effort to read.

Verb + to + infinitive.

2

Try this cake.

Taste this cake.

Imperative form.

3

He tries hard.

He puts in effort.

Third person singular.

4

We try again.

We do it a second time.

Simple present.

5

Did you try?

Did you make an attempt?

Past tense question.

6

I will try.

I will make an effort.

Future tense.

7

Try to sleep.

Make an effort to sleep.

Infinitive.

8

Try the door.

Test if the door opens.

Imperative.

1

I tried to call you.

2

Please try to be on time.

3

She is trying a new hobby.

4

Don't try to fool me.

5

We should try the new restaurant.

6

He tried his best.

7

Try not to worry.

8

They will try the case tomorrow.

1

The judge will try the case in June.

2

I'm trying to figure out this puzzle.

3

It was a very trying experience.

4

Why don't you try your hand at cooking?

5

She tried on several dresses.

6

They tried to convince him to stay.

7

The team tried hard to win.

8

He has been trying to quit smoking.

1

The situation is really trying my patience.

2

You should try that plan on for size.

3

He was tried for treason in the high court.

4

I'll try my luck at the lottery.

5

They tried to resolve the conflict peacefully.

6

It is worth trying, even if you fail.

7

She tried to mask her disappointment.

8

The case was tried before a jury.

1

The new policy was tried in several districts.

2

He tried to reconcile his beliefs with the facts.

3

The ordeal was a trying test of his character.

4

We must try the validity of these claims.

5

She tried to maintain a facade of calm.

6

The evidence was tried and found wanting.

7

He tried to assert his authority.

8

The judge refused to try the case in absentia.

1

The matter was tried by the highest court in the land.

2

He tried his soul against the demands of the era.

3

The theory must be tried against empirical data.

4

She tried to distill the essence of the argument.

5

The metal was tried in the furnace.

6

He tried to navigate the labyrinthine bureaucracy.

7

The case was tried with great solemnity.

8

They tried to forge a new path.

Häufige Kollokationen

try hard
try a case
try your best
try again
try on
try out
try to understand
try to help
try to find
try a new approach

Idioms & Expressions

"Give it a shot"

To attempt something

I'll give it a shot.

casual

"Try someone's patience"

To annoy

You are trying my patience.

neutral

"Try your hand at"

Attempt a new skill

Try your hand at pottery.

neutral

"Try on for size"

Test an idea

Try that idea on for size.

casual

"Try your luck"

Take a chance

Try your luck at the game.

neutral

"Give it a whirl"

Try something new

Why not give it a whirl?

casual

Easily Confused

审判 vs attempt

similar meaning

attempt is more formal

I attempted the test.

审判 vs test

both involve checking

test is for quality, try is for effort

Test the battery.

审判 vs strive

both involve effort

strive is long-term effort

Strive for peace.

审判 vs trial

noun form

trial is the event, try is the action

The trial was long.

Sentence Patterns

A1

Subject + try + to + verb

I try to learn.

B1

Subject + try + gerund

I tried baking.

A2

Subject + try + object

Try the soup.

B2

Subject + be + tried + for + crime

He was tried for theft.

A2

Subject + try + one's + best

I tried my best.

Wortfamilie

Nouns

trial a legal examination

Verbs

retry to try again

Adjectives

trying difficult/annoying

Verwandt

attempt synonym

How to Use It

frequency

10

Formality Scale

adjudicate (formal) try (neutral) give it a go (casual)

Häufige Fehler

tried vs. trie'd → tried
The past tense of try is always 'tried'.
try to doing → try to do
Use 'try to' + base verb, not gerund.
try for doing → try to do
Avoid 'try for' when talking about actions.
tryed → tried
The 'y' changes to 'i'.
try of → try
Try is a transitive verb, no 'of' needed.

Tips

💡

Memory Palace

Imagine a courtroom with a giant scale.

💡

Native Usage

Use 'give it a shot' for casual fun.

🌍

Legal Context

Always check if it's about law or effort.

💡

Spelling Rule

Y to I before -ed.

💡

Rhyme Time

Rhymes with sky.

💡

Avoid 'try of'

Never say 'try of'.

💡

Grain Sifting

It comes from farming!

💡

Context Cards

Write 'Legal' vs 'Effort' cards.

💡

Infinitive Link

Try + to + verb.

💡

Clear Vowels

Keep the 'eye' sound long.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Try to fly into the sky.

Visual Association

A judge with a gavel (trial) and a person running a race (trying).

Word Web

effort court test experiment

Herausforderung

Use 'try' in three sentences today.

Wortherkunft

Old French

Original meaning: to sift or select

Kultureller Kontext

None, but 'tried' can imply a negative judgment in legal contexts.

Used heavily in legal dramas (e.g., 'Law & Order').

'Try' by Colbie Caillat The Crucible (a play about a trial)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At home

  • Try the food
  • Try to sleep
  • Try again

In court

  • Try the case
  • Tried by a jury
  • Fairly tried

At work

  • Try a new strategy
  • Try to finish
  • Try your best

Sports

  • Try out for the team
  • Try for a goal

Conversation Starters

"What is something you want to try?"

"Have you ever tried a new hobby?"

"Why do we have trials?"

"Is it better to try and fail?"

"What is the hardest thing you've tried?"

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you tried something new.

Describe a 'trying' day you had.

Why is it important to try?

What would you try if you weren't afraid?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

8 Fragen

Yes, but it has a spelling change.

Yes, it means to taste.

Attempt is slightly more formal.

No, in court it means to judge.

T-R-I-E-D.

Rarely, usually in sports like rugby.

Yes, 'trying my patience'.

A test for a team or role.

Teste dich selbst

fill blank A1

I will ___ to win.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: try

Future tense uses base form.

multiple choice A2

What does 'try' mean in court?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: To judge

Legal trial.

true false B1

You can 'try' a new food.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Richtig

Means to taste/test.

match pairs B1

Word

Bedeutung

All matched!

Context matters.

sentence order B2

Tippe auf die Wörter unten, um den Satz zu bilden
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

Subject-verb-infinitive.

fill blank B1

The judge will ___ the case.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: try

Legal collocation.

multiple choice A2

Which is the past tense?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: tried

Regular past tense.

true false B2

A 'trying' person is very helpful.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Falsch

It means annoying.

match pairs C1

Word

Bedeutung

All matched!

Idiomatic usage.

sentence order C2

Tippe auf die Wörter unten, um den Satz zu bilden
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

Passive voice structure.

Ergebnis: /10

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