Try as I might
Hi!
In a test there was the following sentence. My answer is the underlined part, it was a multiple choice question.
I understand the meaning, but could someone please explain this construction?
Try as I might , I couldn't turn the key.
Top answer
"as I might" (and similarly with other personal pronouns) is used as a set phrase; people would normally use it without having in mind the construction. Literally it means something like "in any way I could".
- "as I might" (and similarly with other personal pronouns) is used as a set phrase; people would normally use it without having in mind the construction.
- Literally it means something like "in any way I could".
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
"as I might" (and similarly with other personal pronouns) is used as a set phrase; people would normally use it without having in mind the construction. Literally it means something like "in any way I could".
0If the Google Ngram Viewer is to be believed, the more common phrasing until the 1960s was "Try as I would". Now "Try as I might" is much more common. Various other modal verbs are also used sporadically (may, will, less often could, can).
though can replace as in two of these: Try though I might; Try though I may; however, though is not used
0
Related Questions