Try to [Verb]

How to correct the nonstandard expression "try and [verb]"

This is an entry on my list of Common Errors in English Usage. Visit the main page for direct links to additional entries.

The expression “try and [verb],” like the expression “be sure and [verb],” is considered nonstandard. Use an infinitive instead—replace and with to:

try and solve the problem

try to solve the problem

Related Resources

Common Errors in English Usage: Errors in diction and idiom commonly made by native speakers of English

List of Common Errors in English Usage (PDF): Printable version of the complete list

Common Grammar Errors: A list of common errors in grammar (topics like subject-verb agreement and parallelism) as distinct from usage

List of Common Errors in English Usage: PDF version