My attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "My attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to your effort or endeavor in trying to achieve something. Example: "My attempt to solve the puzzle was met with some challenges, but I learned a lot in the process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

My attempt to find work was halfhearted.

The New York Times

My attempt had become official.

The Guardian

My attempt at a shower ended 30 seconds later.

The New York Times - Magazine

My attempt is the film "State and Main".

The New York Times

My attempt to buy Superior National went nowhere.

The New York Times

My attempt has been widely reported across the world, with many supporting my decision.

The Guardian - Opinion

My attempt at reform failed, and in the 20 years since, things have gotten worse.

The New York Times

My attempt was to be as big as possible, yet remain truthful.

The Guardian

My attempt at levity met with silence.

Forbes

My attempt at concealment wasn't merely psychological — it was literal.

The New York Times - Magazine

My attempt at humor failed.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "My attempt" to clearly indicate personal effort or undertaking, especially when discussing challenges, successes, or failures.

Common error

In academic or highly formal writing, consider using synonyms like "my endeavor" or "my effort" to enhance the sophistication and precision of your language. Over-reliance on "my attempt" can make your writing sound repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "My attempt" functions as a noun phrase, where "My" is a possessive adjective modifying the noun "attempt". It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting an effort made by the speaker. Ludwig's examples show it introducing a description or result of that effort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "My attempt" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a personal effort or undertaking. As Ludwig highlights, the phrase frequently appears in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it is advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "my endeavor" or "my effort" in academic or highly professional settings. Overall, the phrase effectively communicates past actions and efforts, whether successful or not.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

My endeavor

Replaces "attempt" with "endeavor", a more formal synonym.

My effort

Substitutes "attempt" with "effort", focusing on the exertion of energy.

My try

Uses the more colloquial "try" instead of "attempt".

My effort to

Adds "to" to explicitly indicate what the attempt is directed towards.

My stab at

Replaces "attempt" with "stab", implying a less refined or certain effort.

My go at

Uses "go" instead of "attempt", suggesting a casual try.

I tried to

Shifts the phrasing to use a verb-centered construction.

My bid to

Replaces "attempt" with "bid", often used when the attempt is public or competitive.

I endeavored to

Uses a more formal verb to replace the entire phrase "My attempt".

In my effort

Rephrases to start with "In my effort", emphasizing the context of the effort.

FAQs

How can I use "My attempt" in a sentence?

You can use "My attempt" to introduce an action you tried to perform, such as "My attempt to fix the car failed" or "My attempt at baking a cake was more difficult than I thought".

What are some alternatives to "My attempt"?

Alternatives include phrases like "my effort", "my endeavor", or simply "I tried to", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "My attempt at" or "My attempt to"?

Both are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "My attempt at" is followed by a noun (e.g., "My attempt at baking"), while "My attempt to" is followed by a verb (e.g., "My attempt to bake").

What's the difference between "My attempt" and "My goal"?

"My attempt" refers to an action already undertaken, whereas "my goal" refers to an intended outcome or objective. You might say, "My attempt to climb the mountain failed, but my goal is still to reach the summit".