Job Discussion Forums

[Kurochan]

I've always thought "have a try" was Chinglish, but I heard somebody say it on an episode of Absolutely Fabulous. So it is a normal British English expression? I don't remember ever hearing it when I was in England. I'll feel a bit embarrassed if it's OK, because I've been telling my students to avoid saying it.

[mingmong]

i've heard "have a try" many times at home, i don't correct my students when they say it. maybe it's more common in australia (not sure where you are from)

[Roger]

I don't think that's CHinglish, kurochan! Not at all!
How about "...have a go at it"?

[Voldermort]

"have a try" certainly is a British phrase, as is "have a go" and "give it a go". It's probably the phrase I use the most in China, closely followed by "now tell me in English".

[dearbarbie]

Correct me if I'm wrong but do Americans say 'give it a whirl?', it's the same

[GeminiTiger]

As an American I would use either "give it a try" or "give it a whirl"
but "whirl" is kind of ..girly? So I would more likely say "give it a try"
or even more likely "give it a go".

I would likely never say "have a go" or "have a try"..