I was attempted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'I was attempted' is not correct and should not be used in written English.
Instead, you could use the phrase 'I was attempting'. For example, "I was attempting to finish the project before the deadline."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A further delivery of 16 Spitfires, Operation Picket I, was attempted on 21 March, but this was less successful; only nine of the planes arrived.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I was attempting to kill him.

The New York Times

What I was attempting to do was exactly the opposite.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was attempting to discover if the story was true.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In retrospect, it's unmistakable that I was attempting to prove to myself that I existed.

The New York Times - Books

As soon as I was discharged I was attempting suicide again.

The Guardian

One of the reasons was that I was attempting to revive an old TierneyLab tradition.

The New York Times

"I was attempting to look suave and couldn't even speak.

The New York Times

"I might seem as though I was attempting to influence the outcome".

The New York Times

I was attempting to look fetching in a white trouser suit that was quickly becoming speckled.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I was attempting to corroborate the Kreskin-Randi anecdote when the phone rang.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was attempting" instead of "I was attempted" to ensure grammatical correctness. The former reflects an active effort, while the latter is passive and typically incorrect.

Common error

Avoid using the passive voice construction "I was attempted" when you mean to express that you were actively trying to do something. Always use "I was attempting" to correctly convey your effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was attempted" is grammatically incorrect. It attempts to use "attempted" as a passive verb, which is not standard English usage. Ludwig AI confirms this is not correct and suggests using "I was attempting" instead.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was attempted" is grammatically incorrect and rarely used. Ludwig AI identifies the correct form as "I was attempting", which expresses an active effort. While some instances of the incorrect phrase may appear in various sources, primarily News & Media and Wiki, it's crucial to use the correct form to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy. Consider alternatives such as "I was trying" or "I attempted" for better communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was trying

Replaces "attempted" with the more common and grammatically correct "trying".

I attempted

Corrects the grammar by using the past tense of "attempt" directly.

I was endeavoring

Uses a more formal synonym for "trying", maintaining the continuous aspect.

I aimed to

Focuses on the intention or goal of the action.

I sought to

Similar to "aimed to" but with a slightly more formal tone.

I set out to

Emphasizes the beginning or initiation of the action.

I undertook to

Highlights the responsibility or commitment involved in the action.

I strived to

Implies a significant effort or struggle in the attempt.

I made an effort to

Explicitly states that effort was exerted.

I took steps to

Focuses on the actions taken towards achieving a goal.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say I was trying to do something?

The correct phrasing is "I was attempting to", not "I was attempted to". "I was attempting to" indicates an active effort to achieve something.

What can I say instead of "I was attempted"?

Use alternatives like "I was trying", "I attempted", or "I was endeavoring" depending on the context.

Is "I was attempted" grammatically correct?

No, "I was attempted" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "I was attempting". The verb "attempt" requires an active construction in this context.

How to use "I was attempting" in a sentence?

You can use "I was attempting" in a sentence like: "I was attempting to finish the project before the deadline."