I am attempting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I am attempting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you are trying to do something. For example: "I am attempting to open the door, but it won't budge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I am attempting to understand how the brain consolidates memories during sleep.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I am attempting to grow lilies in my perennial garden for the first time.

The New York Times

In making a statement to the contrary I am attempting to..

The New York Times

I am attempting to be a social scientist trying to explain voting behavior.

The New York Times - Magazine

This year, for the first time, I am attempting to grow my own veg.

The Guardian

In ongoing research, I am attempting to assemble data on the the size distribution of composers' earnings during their lifetimes.

Harvard University

Many even suggest that I am attempting to violate one of their rights: namely, their right to their own opinion.

The Times

'Essentially, I am attempting the impossible over and over, trying to find a way to say the unsayable.

The Guardian - Music

"What I am attempting now, is a zigzag course from middle to beginning, back to middle, forward to a kind of judgment," she explains alarmingly.

The Economist

To begin with I am attempting to build a simple model of an unmyelinated axon with hodgkin huxley mechanisms implemented in all segments.

Yale University

I am attempting to do just that – despite a warning from Ansel: "It's not something I would recommend for home cooks as it's so labour intensive.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process, consider using "I am attempting" to show active engagement and focused effort. This communicates dedication beyond mere intention.

Common error

Avoid using "I am attempting" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "I'm trying" or "I'm going to" are often more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I am attempting" functions as a declarative statement of intent, expressing the speaker's or writer's current effort to achieve a specific goal. Ludwig examples show its use in both formal and informal contexts, highlighting its versatility in conveying purpose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

28%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

6%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I am attempting" is a versatile expression used to convey ongoing effort and intention. As Ludwig AI underlines, its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts like news media and academia make it a reliable choice. While it's generally safe to use, consider the level of formality required by the situation and audience; simpler alternatives like "I am trying to" might be more suitable for casual communication. Remember that while "I am attempting" is correct, it's crucial to align your language with the context to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'm trying to

Uses a more concise and informal contraction of "I am", replacing "attempting" with the more common "trying".

I'm endeavoring to

Substitutes "attempting" with "endeavoring", offering a slightly more formal and sophisticated tone.

I intend to

Uses "intend" as a direct synonym for "attempt", conveying a clear plan or purpose.

I'm working towards

Replaces "attempting" with "working towards", emphasizing the process and direction of effort.

I'm aiming to

Uses "aiming" to convey the intention and direction of the effort, providing a more goal-oriented nuance.

I'm undertaking

Substitutes "attempting" with "undertaking", which implies a more significant or formal commitment.

I'm seeking to

Replaces "attempting" with "seeking", suggesting a more exploratory or investigative approach.

I'm setting out to

Replaces "attempting" with "setting out to", which highlights the initiation or beginning of an effort.

My goal is to

Shifts the focus to the objective, using "My goal is to" to express the intention.

I aspire to

Replaces "attempting" with "aspire", conveying a sense of ambition and high-reaching goals.

FAQs

How can I use "I am attempting" in a sentence?

Use "I am attempting" to express your current effort to achieve a specific goal, for instance, "I am attempting to learn a new language" or "I am attempting to resolve this issue".

What are some alternatives to "I am attempting"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "I am trying to", "I am endeavoring to", or "I intend to" as alternatives to "I am attempting".

When is it appropriate to use "I am attempting" versus "I am trying"?

"I am attempting" is more formal and conveys a stronger sense of deliberate effort compared to "I am trying", which is more casual. Use "I am attempting" in professional or academic contexts.

Is "I am attempting" always the best choice to express effort?

No, while grammatically correct, "I am attempting" can sound overly formal in some situations. Consider the context and audience to determine if a simpler phrase like "I'm trying" or "I'm working on" would be more appropriate.