Explanation at your level:
When you go to a shop, you want to see if a shirt fits. You put the shirt on your body. This is called try on. You can say, 'I want to try on this blue shirt.' If it is too small, you do not buy it. It is very easy to use!
Use try on when you are shopping for clothes. You might say, 'Can I try these jeans on?' The shop assistant might tell you where the changing room is. Remember, you can say 'try on the hat' or 'try the hat on.' Both are correct and very common in daily life.
The phrasal verb try on is essential for shopping. It implies a brief period of wearing something to judge its fit or style. It is a separable verb, which means you can place the object in between the verb and the particle. For example, 'I tried the jacket on' is just as natural as 'I tried on the jacket.' However, if you use a pronoun like 'it,' you must say 'try it on.'
Beyond literal clothing, try on is often used metaphorically. You might 'try on' a new persona or 'try on' an idea for size to see if it fits your personality or current situation. This usage adds a layer of nuance, suggesting that you are experimenting with a concept before fully committing to it. It is a versatile tool in both retail and abstract communication.
In advanced discourse, try on can be used to describe the act of adopting a particular identity or rhetorical stance. For instance, a politician might 'try on' a more populist tone to see how the public reacts. This usage is figurative and requires an understanding of the literal meaning as a foundation. It implies a deliberate, temporary test of a social or intellectual 'garment' to evaluate its impact or comfort level within a specific environment.
The etymological roots of try on link the physical act of fitting garments to the broader human experience of experimentation. In literature, authors may use the phrase to signify a character's internal transformation or their attempt to 'fit' into a new social stratum. It bridges the gap between the mundane act of shopping and the profound psychological search for identity. Understanding this allows for a deeper appreciation of how English speakers use simple physical actions to describe complex cognitive and social processes.
Word in 30 Seconds
- It means to put on clothes to test the fit.
- It is a separable phrasal verb.
- Use it for clothes, not food or cars.
- Pronouns go in the middle.
The phrase try on is a separable phrasal verb used almost exclusively when talking about clothing, shoes, or accessories. Think of it as a test drive for your wardrobe!
When you walk into a store, you don't just guess your size; you try on different items to see how they look in the mirror. It is a practical, everyday action that helps you avoid the disappointment of buying something that doesn't fit right.
Remember, this phrase is specifically for wearable items. You wouldn't 'try on' a sandwich or a car! It implies a temporary state—you are wearing it just long enough to make a decision.
The verb try comes from the Old French trier, meaning to sift or select. By the 14th century, it evolved to mean testing or examining something to judge its quality.
The particle on, derived from Old English on, indicates contact or attachment to a surface. When combined, try on emerged in the 17th century as a idiomatic way to describe the act of placing a garment on the body to test its fit.
Historically, as ready-to-wear clothing became more common in the 19th century, the phrase became a staple of retail language. It reflects the shift from custom-tailored clothing, where you were measured, to mass-produced clothing, where you must verify the fit yourself.
You will mostly hear this in casual or retail contexts. It is perfectly acceptable in both spoken and written English, though it is rarely used in highly formal academic papers.
Common collocations include try on a dress, try on shoes, or try on a pair of glasses. You can also use it with pronouns: "I tried it on."
Note the separable nature of this verb. You can say "Try on the coat" or "Try the coat on." However, if you use a pronoun like it or them, you must put it in the middle: "Try it on" (not "Try on it").
While try on is literal, it appears in several related contexts. 1. Try on for size: To test an idea or a new role to see if it suits you. 2. Try something out: Testing a machine or a new process. 3. Give it a go: To attempt something new. 4. Test the waters: To check if something will be successful before committing. 5. Try one's hand at: To attempt a new hobby or task.
This is a separable transitive phrasal verb. Pronunciation is /traɪ ɒn/ in British English and /traɪ ɑːn/ in American English. The stress falls equally on both parts, though 'try' often carries the primary emphasis.
Rhyming words include fly on, buy on, spy on, sigh on, and lie on. It follows the standard conjugation: try on, tries on, trying on, tried on.
Fun Fact
It evolved with the mass production of clothing.
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'o' sound.
Long 'a' sound.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing 'try'
- Merging the words
- Wrong stress
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
easy
easy
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Phrasal Verbs
Try on
Separable Verbs
Try it on
Object Pronouns
Try it on
Examples by Level
I want to try on this shirt.
I want to test this shirt.
Verb + object.
Can I try on these shoes?
Can I test these shoes?
Modal verb question.
She tries on a red dress.
She tests a red dress.
Third person singular.
He tried on the hat.
He tested the hat.
Past tense.
Try on the jacket.
Test the jacket.
Imperative.
They are trying on glasses.
They are testing glasses.
Present continuous.
Don't try on dirty clothes.
Do not test dirty clothes.
Negative imperative.
I will try on the boots.
I will test the boots.
Future tense.
Please try on this coat.
Did you try on the blue jeans?
I need to try on a larger size.
She is trying on her wedding dress.
We tried on several hats.
He tried the sweater on.
Don't try on shoes without socks.
Try on the belt with the pants.
I'll try on the suit before I decide.
She tried on a few different outfits.
Have you tried on the new uniform yet?
I tried it on and it was too tight.
He tried on the mask for the party.
Try on the gloves to see if they fit.
They tried on various costumes.
She tried on the ring to check the size.
He tried on a new persona for the meeting.
She tried on the idea of moving abroad.
I tried on a more professional tone.
They tried on the role of leaders.
She tried on a different style of writing.
He tried on the concept of early retirement.
Try on this perspective for a moment.
She tried on her mother's vintage coat.
He tried on the mantle of authority.
She tried on a cynical attitude.
The actor tried on many different voices.
They tried on the mask of indifference.
He tried on a new philosophy of life.
She tried on the persona of a critic.
The project tried on a bold new strategy.
He tried on the role of a mentor.
She tried on the weight of her family's history.
He tried on the silence of the room like a garment.
The novel explores a character trying on lives.
She tried on the persona of a stranger.
He tried on the mask of a hero.
They tried on different versions of the truth.
She tried on the feeling of being free.
He tried on the identity of an artist.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"try on for size"
test an idea
Try this plan on for size.
casual"try one's hand"
attempt
Try your hand at sewing.
neutral"test the waters"
check reaction
Test the waters first.
neutral"give it a shot"
attempt
Give it a shot.
casual"take for a spin"
test drive
Take the car for a spin.
casual"try out"
test something
Try out the new software.
neutralEasily Confused
both are phrasal verbs
try on=clothes, try out=test
Try on a coat/Try out a car.
both relate to clothes
wear=state, try on=action
I am wearing it/I am trying it on.
both mean examine
test=general, try on=clothes
Test the water/Try on the shirt.
both mean clothing
put on=action of dressing, try on=testing fit
Put on your coat to leave/Try on the coat to see if it fits.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + try on + object
I try on the shirt.
Subject + try + object + on
I try the shirt on.
Subject + try + pronoun + on
I try it on.
Modal + try on + object
Can I try on this?
Gerund + object
Trying on clothes is fun.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
9
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Pronouns must go in the middle.
Only use for clothing.
Only use for wearable items.
Don't add 'for' unless it's an idiom.
Try on an item, not a size.
Tips
Pronoun Rule
Always put 'it' in the middle.
Separable Verb
You can split it.
Shopping Practice
Use it when you shop.
Origin
From old French for sift.
Food
Don't use for food.
Fitting Rooms
Where it happens.
Mirror Trick
Imagine a mirror.
Stress
Equal stress.
Flashcards
Use pictures.
Metaphor
Try on ideas.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
T-R-Y: Test Right Yourself
Visual Association
Standing in a changing room mirror.
Word Web
Challenge
Go to a store and try on a hat.
Word Origin
Old French/Old English
Original meaning: Sift/Select + Contact
Cultural Context
None
Very common in shopping malls.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Shopping
- Where is the fitting room?
- Can I try this on?
- Does this fit?
Online Shopping
- I'll try it on when it arrives.
- The try-on was successful.
Metaphorical
- Try on the idea.
- Try on the role.
Fashion
- Model the outfit.
- Check the fit.
Conversation Starters
"Do you like to try on clothes before buying?"
"What is the hardest thing to try on?"
"Have you ever tried on a costume?"
"Do you prefer trying on clothes at home?"
"What do you think about online try-on tools?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you tried on a funny outfit.
Why is trying on clothes important?
Write about a time you tried on a new idea.
How do you feel when trying on clothes?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, say 'try it on'.
It is neutral.
No.
A noun for the event.
Yes.
Yes, tried on.
Yes.
Yes, metaphorically.
Test Yourself
I want to ___ on this shirt.
Collocation.
Which is correct?
Pronoun placement.
Can you try on a sandwich?
Only for clothes.
Word
Meaning
Meaning match.
Order of words.
Score: /5
Summary
Try on is your go-to phrase for checking how clothes fit before you buy them.
- It means to put on clothes to test the fit.
- It is a separable phrasal verb.
- Use it for clothes, not food or cars.
- Pronouns go in the middle.
Pronoun Rule
Always put 'it' in the middle.
Separable Verb
You can split it.
Shopping Practice
Use it when you shop.
Origin
From old French for sift.
Example
I want to try on this blue dress in the fitting room.
Related Content
Learn it in Context
This Word in Other Languages
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
More Shopping words
mall
A1A mall is a large building or a group of buildings that contains many different shops and stores connected by walkways. It is a central place where people go to shop, eat at food courts, and sometimes see movies.
used
A1Describes an item that has been owned or utilized by someone else before being sold or given to another person. In shopping, it usually refers to second-hand goods that are cheaper than brand-new ones.
bookstore
B2A bookstore is a commercial establishment primarily dedicated to the retail sale of books and related literary materials. It serves as a place where customers can browse, discover, and purchase various genres of writing, ranging from fiction to academic textbooks.
coat
A1A piece of clothing with long sleeves that is worn over other clothes to keep warm or dry. It is typically worn outdoors and is generally longer than a jacket, often reaching the mid-thigh or knees.
buy
A1To obtain something by paying money for it. It is a fundamental action in commerce where ownership of an item or service is transferred in exchange for currency.
bakery
A1A bakery is a place where bread, cakes, pastries, and other flour-based foods are baked and sold. It is a specialized shop that often serves as a local source for fresh breakfast items and desserts.
sephora
B1Sephora is a multinational chain of personal care and beauty stores. It features a variety of beauty products from more than 300 brands, including cosmetics, skincare, body, fragrance, nail color, and haircare.
scarf
A1A scarf is a long piece of fabric worn around the neck, head, or shoulders for warmth or fashion. It is a popular accessory used in cold weather or to add style to an outfit.
card
A1A card is a small, rectangular piece of plastic used for paying for goods or services. It can also refer to a piece of stiff paper used for sending greetings or playing games.
size
A1Size describes how big or small an object, person, or space is. In shopping, it specifically refers to the standard measurements used for clothing, shoes, and accessories to ensure a proper fit.
