Regular verb
The verb to try
try → tried → tried
A1Meaning: to make an effort to do something; to test something · Type: regular · Frequency: Top 10 English verbs
Key points to remember
- Present Simple:
try / tries(y → ies) - Past Simple:
tried(y → ied) - Past participle:
tried - -ing form:
trying
Conjugation of the verb to try
Present Simple
| I | try |
| You | try |
| He / She / It | tries |
| We | try |
| You (pl.) | try |
| They | try |
Past Simple
| I | tried |
| You | tried |
| He / She / It | tried |
| We | tried |
| You (pl.) | tried |
| They | tried |
All the forms of the verb to try
Present Simple
Full pagetry / tries
“I try my best.”
See the pagePresent Continuous
Full pageam / is / are trying
“I am trying a new recipe right now.”
See the pagePast Simple
Full pagetried
“I tried to call you.”
See the pagePast Continuous
Full pagewas / were trying
“I was trying a new recipe when the phone rang.”
See the pagePresent Perfect
Full pagehave / has tried
“I have already tried a new recipe.”
See the pagePast Perfect
Full pagehad tried
“She had already tried a new recipe when I arrived.”
See the pageFuture Simple
Full pagewill try
“I will try a new recipe tomorrow.”
See the pageGoing to Future
Full pageam / is / are going to try
“I'm going to try a new recipe this weekend.”
See the pageConditional (would)
Full pagewould try
“I would try a new recipe if I had time.”
See the pageHow to use to try
1. Trying to do something
- I tried to call you.
2. Try on
Try on means to put on clothes to see if they fit.
- Can I try this on?
3. Try out
Try out means to test something new to see if it works.
- Try out the demo.
A common mistake
1. Tryed ❌
After a consonant, the y becomes i before -ed: tried, like cry → cried. The y stays before -ing: trying.
Going further
Conjugating to try is a key skill in the English contest
Every year, the Big Challenge tests the key English verbs. Register your students so they can check their level in a real contest.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past simple of try?+
The Past Simple of try is tried: the y becomes i, then you add -ed. This happens with verbs that end in a consonant + y: cry → cried, study → studied, carry → carried.
Is it try to do or try doing?+
Both are correct, with a small difference. Try + to + verb means you make an effort, and it is difficult: I tried to open the window, but it was stuck. Try + -ing means you do something as a test, to see what happens: Try drinking some water. Maybe your hiccups will stop.
What is the difference between try on and try out?+
Try on is for clothes, shoes or glasses: you put them on to see if they fit. Can I try these jeans on? Try out means to test something new, like a game, an app or an idea: Let's try out the new app.
What does give it a try mean?+
Give it a try means try it once and see. People say it to encourage you: Come on, give it a try! You might like it.
What does trying mean as an adjective?+
As an adjective, trying means difficult and tiring: It was a trying day for everyone. It is different from the -ing form of the verb (I'm trying to sleep).
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/try
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.