Rural Dictionary: Try and

Try and

A grammatically incorrect form of 'try to'. While 'try and' is commonly used, it is incorrect, as it technically means: try an unspecified action, then do the other, specified action. One can either try something, do something or try to do something, but one cannot try and do something.

Unlike 'try to', 'try and' is seldom inflected; whilst one may (incorrectly) use 'try and' instead of 'try to', one would very rarely use 'trying and' or 'tried and' instead of 'trying to' and 'tried to', respectively.

It is important to remember that 'try' is synonymous with 'attempt'. The word 'attempt' means to make an effort to achieve something. It is very rare to here 'attempt and' as most people recognise 'attempt and' as incorrect, however, the same people often fail bear that in mind when using the word 'try'.

Person 1: Try and speak good English.
Person 2: It is 'try to', not 'try and'; one can try something or try to do something, but not both at the same time.

The phrase 'try and', is as annoying as 'could of'.

by Grammar Policeman August 1, 2018

33👍 4👎

try it on

To engage in sexual relations with someone. Usually, romance or commitment does not enter the equation.

Yeah, your girlfriend? It's her personal goal to try it on with everyone she knows. EVERYONE. Sorry, man.

by the.dreamer February 5, 2008

74👍 17👎

trying

The act of annoying someone or pushing their buttons.

"If this bitch don't stop trying me, I'm going to put hands on her!"

by mhilljackson June 13, 2018

27👍 6👎

not trying

adverbial phrase. Essentially "trying not" or "trying to avoid" in standard English. The subtle difference between the slang standard English usages can be seen as follows: in standard English "not trying" simply means a failure to put forth any effort; whereas the slang meaning encompasses affirmative avoidance of responsibility, or steps taken to get out of an obligation.

Slang: Yo man now D not trying to pay me back.

Standard: D is trying to avoid paying me back.

by LaJeep July 17, 2010

26👍 6👎