What is the past tense of "try"?

The past simple of "try" is "tried". Try to sleep.

What is the past participle of "try"?

The past participle of "try" is "tried". Use it after have/has/had: "I have tried".

What is a common mistake with "try"?

Wrong: "I try to solving it.". Correct: "I try to solve it.". Use base verb, not gerund.

How do you pronounce "try"?

/traɪ/ — One syllable, rhymes with by.

Conjugation of "Try" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage

Q: Is "try" regular or irregular?

"Try" is a regular English verb. Both past simple and past participle are formed by adding -ed.

Look up another verb

All 12 Tenses of "Try"

Quick reference table — every tense form of "try" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.

Tense	Example (I)	Quick rule
Simple Present	`I try`	Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule →
Simple Past	`I tried`	Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule →
Simple Future	`I will try`	Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule →
Present Continuous	`I am trying`	Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule →
Past Continuous	`I was trying`	Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule →
Future Continuous	`I will be trying`	Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule →
Present Perfect	`I have tried`	Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule →
Past Perfect	`I had tried`	Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule →
Future Perfect	`I will have tried`	Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule →
Present Perfect Continuous	`I have been trying`	Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule →
Past Perfect Continuous	`I had been trying`	Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule →
Future Perfect Continuous	`I will have been trying`	Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule →

Past Tense of "Try" — Tried

The past simple of "try" is "tried" — formed by adding "-ed". Use it for actions that were completed at a specific time in the past, such as "yesterday", "last week", or "in 2020". For the full grammar of this tense, see our simple past tense guide.

The doctor tried several treatments. B1

Past Participle of "Try" — Tried

The past participle of "try" is "tried" — the same form as the past simple, since "try" is a regular verb. Use it after "have/has/had" for perfect tenses ("I have tried") and after "be" for passive voice ("It was tried").

The doctor tried several treatments. B1

Is "Try" Regular or Irregular?

"Try" is a regular English verb. Its past simple and past participle are both formed by adding "-ed" to give "tried". The 3rd-person singular present is "tries" and the gerund/present participle is "trying".

Conjugation pattern: regular -ied

How to Pronounce "Try" and Its Forms

Try: /traɪ/ — Stress pattern: O

One syllable, rhymes with by.

How to Use "Try" — Common Grammar Patterns

Use 'try to + verb' or 'try + noun'.

S + V + to + V
S + V + O

Example Sentences with "Try" in Different Tenses

Simple Past: The doctor tried several treatments. B1

Common Collocations with "Try"

try your best
try something new
try on clothes
try again

When to Use "Try" vs Similar Verbs

Smart synonyms — when to use each one

attempt — formal effort or try
test — try to see if something works

Antonyms: give up, abandon

Common Mistakes with "Try"

Wrong: She try often.
Correct: She trys often.
Add "s" to the verb when the subject is third-person singular (he/she/it).

Origin and Etymology of "Try"

From Old French trier meaning to pick out.

Conjugation Tables for "Try"

Negative Forms

Simple present: I do not try · He does not try
Simple past: I did not try · She did not try
Present perfect: I have not tried · He has not tried

Question Forms

Simple present: Do you try? · Does he try?
Simple past: Did you try?
Present perfect: Have you tried?

Passive Voice (where applicable)

Simple present passive: It is tried
Simple past passive: It was tried
Present perfect passive: It has been tried

Frequently Asked Questions About "Try"

Is "try" regular or irregular?: "try" is a regular verb. Add -ed for past simple and past participle: "tried".
What is the past tense of "try"?: The simple past of "try" is "tried".
When do I use simple present vs present continuous with "try"?: Use simple present for habits, facts, and routines: "I try every day." Use present continuous for actions happening right now: "I am trying right now."