Tries is the correct spelling. Trys is a misspelling. The word “try” ends in a consonant plus y, so the y becomes i before -es.
That is why we write “She tries” and “He made three tries,” never “she trys.”
Why “Tries” Is Correct and “Trys” Is Not
The spelling follows a simple rule. When a word ends in a consonant + y, drop the y and add -ies.
Try ends in r + y. So try becomes tries, not trys. The same rule works for plural nouns and for verbs used with he, she, or it.
The Y-to-I Rule Behind Tries
Many everyday words follow this pattern:
- cry → cries
- fly → flies
- study → studies
- carry → carries
- worry → worries
Once you see the pattern, “trys” looks out of place right away.
Why Play → Plays but Try → Tries
The rule changes when a vowel comes before the y. In that case, the y stays and we only add -s.
Play becomes plays. Enjoy becomes enjoys. Stay becomes stays. The letter before the y decides everything.
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Tries as a Verb: “He Tries” vs “I Try”
Use tries when the subject is one person or thing other than I or you. That means he, she, it, or a single name.
She tries to arrive early. The dog tries to open the gate. With I, you, we, and they, use the base form: “I try,” “they try.”
When to Use Tries, Try, and Tried
| Form | When to use it | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Try | I, you, we, they | We try again. |
| Tries | He, she, it | He tries again. |
| Tried | Past action | She tried yesterday. |
| Trying | Action in progress | They are trying now. |
A quick check helps. If the action is finished, pick tried. If it happens now with he or she, pick tries.
Tries as a Noun: “Three Tries”
A try is also a noun. It means an attempt. When there is more than one attempt, the plural is tries.
- “It took four tries to open the lock.”
- “Give the new recipe a few tries.”
Using Tries to Mean Attempts
Here, the word works like “attempts” or “shots.” The same spelling holds in sports. In rugby, a player scores a try, and a team can score several tries in one match.
So the spelling does not change between the verb and the noun. Only the job of the word changes.
Trys vs Tries
| Spelling | Correct? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Tries | Yes | Follows the consonant + y rule |
| Trys | No | Skips the y-to-i change |
- A small memory trick helps: try → tries, just like cry → cries.
- If you would never write “crys,” do not write “trys.”
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FAQs About Trys or Tries
Is it trys or tries?
Tries is correct. “Trys” is a spelling error in standard English. Always change the y to i before adding -es.
Is “trys” a word?
No. “Trys” is not a standard English word. It may appear as a name or a brand, but never as a form of “try.”
Should I write “he trys” or “he tries”?
Write he tries. The verb needs the -ies ending with he, she, or it.
Is “tries” the plural of “try”?
Yes. When “try” is a noun meaning attempt, its plural is tries. Example: “She passed after two tries.”
Is the spelling different in British English?
No. British and American English both use tries. This spelling has no regional version.
Conclusion
So the next time you wonder about trys or tries, remember the rule: consonant + y becomes -ies. Write tries, and your sentence is correct.
Hi, I’m John Henry, the voice behind Grammar Nudge. I make grammar simple and easy to understand, from basic rules to advanced writing tips. Clear explanations. Practical examples. No confusion.
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