Tries or Trys?

In the English language, small differences can significantly change the meaning of words or even mark the difference between correct and incorrect usage. The words “tries” and “trys” are a common source of confusion for many, but only one of these forms is correct. This article aims to dispel any misconceptions about these words, providing clear explanations and examples to help solidify understanding.

The Correct Usage: “Tries”

“Tries” is the correct form and is the third person singular present tense of the verb “to try,” which means to make an effort to do something. It follows the standard rule of adding -es to a verb that ends in -y preceded by a consonant. This rule states that when a verb ends in a consonant followed by -y, you change the -y to -i and add -es for the third person singular.

Examples of “Tries”:

  1. “She tries to learn a new word every day to improve her vocabulary.”
  2. “Every morning, the sun tries breaking through the clouds to bring light to the world.”
  3. “He often tries new foods when traveling to experience different cultures.”

In these sentences, “tries” is used correctly to indicate that the subject (she, the sun, he) is making an effort or attempting to do something.

The Misconception: “Trys”

The confusion often arises because the transformation of verbs ending in -y to their third-person singular form is not always intuitive, especially when they are pronounced similarly. “Trys” is a common misspelling of “tries” and is not recognized as a correct form in any standard English usage.

Incorrect Use of “Trys”:

  1. “He trys his best to complete the assignment on time.” (Incorrect)
  2. “The cat trys catching the laser dot but never succeeds.” (Incorrect)
  3. “My computer always trys to update when I’m in the middle of work.” (Incorrect)

In these examples, “trys” should be replaced with “tries” to follow the correct grammatical rule.

Why the Rule Exists

English is a language full of patterns and rules, some of which have evolved over time for ease of pronunciation and consistency. The rule for verbs ending in a consonant followed by -y ensures that the pronunciation of the base verb is maintained when it is conjugated.

When “y” follows a consonant and the verb needs to be conjugated, changing the “y” to “ies” makes it easier to pronounce and differentiates it from the plural form of nouns, which also often ends in -ies. This helps maintain a consistent pattern in the language and aids in clear communication.

Clearing Up the Confusion

To avoid the mistake of using “trys” instead of “tries,” remember the simple rule: for verbs ending with a consonant before the -y, replace the -y with -ies for the third person singular. This rule also applies when forming the present participle (e.g., trying) and the past tense (e.g., tried).

Memory Tip:

Think of the word “flies.” Just like “flies” is to “fly,” “tries” is to “try.” Both verbs follow the same rule of changing the -y to -ies when forming the third person singular.

Practice Examples:

  1. “Every time she tries to speak a new language, she becomes a bit more confident.”
  2. “The dog tries to catch its tail, spinning in circles.”
  3. “He tries fixing the leaky faucet every weekend, but it still drips.”

In these sentences, “tries” is used correctly to describe an ongoing effort or repeated action.

Learning Through Examples

Seeing the rule applied in various sentences can help solidify the understanding. Let’s look at more examples to practice distinguishing between the common misuse and the correct form.

Incorrect: “My sister never trys new things because she’s afraid of failure.”
Correct: “My sister never tries new things because she’s afraid of failure.”

Incorrect: “The software trys to update, but it keeps failing.”
Correct: “The software tries to update, but it keeps failing.”

Incorrect: “He always trys to be the center of attention.”
Correct: “He always tries to be the center of attention.”

In each correct version, “tries” is used properly, indicating the present tense action of making an attempt or effort.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, “tries” is the only correct form to use when you want to convey that someone or something is attempting to do something in the third person singular present tense. “Trys” is a misspelling that should be avoided. By remembering the simple rule that applies to verbs ending in a consonant plus -y, you can ensure that you always use the correct form.

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