Cool MateExperiment vs Have a go vs Try it vs Want to give it a whirl
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Experiment
Have a go
Try it
Want to give it a whirl
| Experiment | Have a go | Try it | Want to give it a whirl | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈsperɪmənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈsperɪmənt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //hæv ə ɡəʊ//🇺🇸 //hæv ə ɡoʊ// | 🇬🇧 //traɪ ɪt//🇺🇸 //traɪ ɪt// | 🇬🇧 //wɒnt tə ɡɪv ɪt ə wɜːl//🇺🇸 //wɑnt tə ɡɪv ɪt ə wɜrl// |
| Meaning | A test to find out something new. | Try something | Give it a go or attempt something. | To try something new or different. |
| Example | The scientist conducted an experiment to test her hypothesis. | You should **have a go** at painting; it’s really fun! | You should really try it; it’s a lot of fun! | She wants to give it a whirl and see if she likes rock climbing. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - | - | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |||
| Collocations | animal, field, laboratory, carry out, conduct, do, confirm something, demonstrate something, find something, by experiment, during an/the experiment, in an/the experiment, animal, field, laboratory, carry out, conduct, do, confirm something, demonstrate something, find something, by experiment, during an/the experiment, in an/the experiment | have a go at something, have a go at doing something, let's have a go, give it a go, have a go together | try it out, try it again, try it for yourself, try it yourself, try it this way | give it a whirl, want to give it a whirl, give it another whirl, let's give it a whirl, should give it a whirl |
| Antonyms | certainty, fact | - | - | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'experience' which refers to knowledge gained over time., Using 'experiments' as a verb instead of the noun form., Saying 'experimenting of' instead of 'experimenting with'. | Using 'have a go' without 'at' incorrectly., Confusing it with 'have a try', which is similar but less common., Incorrect verb forms after 'go', e.g., saying 'have a go to swim'. | Using 'try it' without context may confuse listeners., Misunderstanding 'try' as only a physical action., Using 'try it' when suggesting a long-term commitment. | Using it in very formal contexts., Confusing it with 'give it a try' - 'whirl' adds a sense of fun., Not understanding 'want to' implies a desire. |
| Usage notes | Used in scientific contexts but can also refer to trying new ideas in everyday life. More formal in academic writing. | Used in casual conversations when encouraging someone to try an activity. Less formal than 'attempt'. | Used when encouraging someone to attempt something. Suitable for casual and formal contexts. Avoid in very serious situations. | Use in casual conversation when suggesting someone should try something. Avoid in formal writing or serious discussions. |
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Frequently asked questions: Experiment vs Have a go vs Try it vs Want to give it a whirl
What's the difference between Experiment, Have a go, Try it, and Want to give it a whirl?
Experiment: A test to find out something new. Have a go: Try something Try it: Give it a go or attempt something. Want to give it a whirl: To try something new or different.
Which is more common: Experiment, Have a go, Try it, and Want to give it a whirl?
Experiment is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Experiment: The scientist conducted an experiment to test her hypothesis. Have a go: You should **have a go** at painting; it’s really fun! Try it: You should really try it; it’s a lot of fun! Want to give it a whirl: She wants to give it a whirl and see if she likes rock climbing.
Can I use Experiment, Have a go, Try it, and Want to give it a whirl interchangeably?
Not always. Experiment, Have a go, Try it, and Want to give it a whirl 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.