What Does “Try sb out” Mean?
“Try sb out” means to test someone’s abilities or suitability for a role or task. It often involves giving a person a chance to show what they can do.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “try sb out” is commonly used in English when someone wants to test another person’s skills or performance before making a final decision. For example, a coach might try a player out during a practice game, or an employer could try a candidate out before hiring them permanently. Understanding the “try sb out” meaning helps learners use this phrase naturally in work, sports, or everyday conversations. It is a practical expression that shows how to give someone a trial or experiment with their abilities.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Try sb out (try somebody out)
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2
- Meaning: To test someone’s ability or suitability
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Try sb out” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object (sb = somebody) between “try” and “out,” or after the whole phrase.
- Try someone out
- Try out someone
Both forms are correct, but putting the object between “try” and “out” is more common.
How to Use Try sb out?
Use “try sb out” when you want to describe testing a person’s skills or abilities. It is often used in contexts like sports, work, or auditions. The phrase usually involves a temporary or trial period before making a final decision.
For example:
- We need to try out new employees before hiring them permanently.
- The coach tried out several players during practice.
Examples
When you want to see if someone can do a job well, you might say:
- Our manager decided to try me out as a team leader for a month.
- The band is trying out a new singer for their upcoming tour.
- They tried out the new teacher before offering a full contract.
- The company will try out candidates through a series of interviews.
- We tried out a few players before selecting the final team.
Try sb out in a sentence helps learners see how to use it naturally.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse “try sb out” with other phrases or use it incorrectly. Here are some examples:
- Incorrect: I will try out him tomorrow.
Correct: I will try him out tomorrow. - Incorrect: The coach tried out to the player.
Correct: The coach tried out the player.
Remember, the object (someone) should be placed between “try” and “out” or after the whole phrase, not between “out” and the preposition.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “test out,” “try on,” and “try up,” but they have different meanings:
- Test out: To test something, often equipment or ideas, not usually people.
- Try on: To put on clothes to see if they fit.
- Try up: Not commonly used; often confused with “try out.”
“Try sb out” specifically means testing a person’s abilities, unlike “test out,” which is broader and often relates to objects or systems.
Common Collocations
When using “try sb out,” certain objects frequently appear. Here are common collocations and their meanings:
- Try a player out: Test a sports player’s skills.
- Try an employee out: Assess a worker’s performance.
- Try a candidate out: Evaluate someone applying for a job.
- Try a singer out: See if a singer fits a band or show.
- Try a student out: Check a student’s abilities or suitability.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of try sb out:
Real-life Dialogue
Using “try sb out” in conversation sounds natural and clear. Here’s a short example:
Anna: Have you decided who will lead the project?
Mark: Not yet. We’re going to try Sarah out for a week first.
Anna: That sounds fair. It’s a great way to see if she’s the right fit.
Practice
Try completing the sentences with the correct form of “try sb out.”
- The coach wants to ________ the new player ________ during the next game.
- Before hiring, the company usually ________ candidates ________ for a trial period.
- We should ________ him ________ to see if he can handle the job.
FAQ
What does “try sb out” mean?
It means to test someone’s skills or suitability for a role or task.
Is “try sb out” separable?
Yes, you can place the object between “try” and “out” or after the phrase.
Can “try sb out” be used in formal English?
Yes, it is common in both formal and informal contexts.
What are similar phrases to “try sb out”?
Similar phrases include “test out” and “try out,” but “try sb out” focuses on people.
How do I use “try sb out” in a sentence?
Example: The manager is trying out a new assistant this week.
