Cool MateCheck out vs Try
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Check out
Top 1,000 (very common)
Try
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
| Check out | Try | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //tʃɛk aʊt//🇺🇸 //tʃɛk aʊt// | 🇬🇧 /["/traɪ/","/traɪz/","/traɪd/","/ˈtraɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/traɪ/","/traɪz/","/traɪd/","/ˈtraɪɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Look at or try something. | to make an effort to do something |
| Example | You should check out this new coffee shop! | I will try my best to finish the project on time. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | check out a book, check out a website, check out the menu, check out a place, check out an event | desperately, frantically, furiously, decide to, dare (somebody) to, bother to, be just trying to do something, be only trying to do something, give up trying, desperately, frantically, furiously, decide to, dare (somebody) to, bother to, be just trying to do something, be only trying to do something, give up trying |
| Antonyms | - | give up, quit, avoid |
| Common mistakes | Using 'check out' without an object (e.g. 'I will check out.' is incorrect)., Confusing 'check out' with just 'check' (they have different meanings)., Mispronouncing 'out' as 'oat' instead of 'awt'. | Using 'try' with a noun instead of a verb (e.g., 'try a bike' instead of 'try riding a bike'), Confusing 'try' with 'test' — 'try' suggests effort, while 'test' implies evaluation, Using 'try' without context, making the intention unclear |
| Usage notes | Used in informal conversations to suggest someone should look at something interesting or worth investigating. Avoid in formal writing. | Use 'try' when suggesting attempts. It's suitable for informal and formal settings. Avoid using it with absolute outcomes, as it conveys effort rather than guarantee. |
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Frequently asked questions: Check out vs Try
What's the difference between Check out and Try?
Check out: Look at or try something. Try: to make an effort to do something
Can you show an example of each?
Check out: You should check out this new coffee shop! Try: I will try my best to finish the project on time.
Can I use Check out and Try interchangeably?
Not always. Check out and Try are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.