an attempt at

USAGE SUMMARY

"an attempt at" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express an effort to do or achieve something. For example, "He made an attempt at solving the difficult problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

NOPI was an attempt at both.

The New Yorker

Cameron made an attempt at this.

Independent

This was an attempt at irony.

The New York Times - Arts

It was an attempt at self-hypnosis.

The New York Times

It's an attempt at rehabilitation.

The New York Times - Arts

There's an attempt at blurry, glowy etherealness.

Independent

It is an attempt at frightening society".

The New York Times

Trump made an attempt at chivalry.

The Guardian

They signal an attempt at something new.

The New York Times - Arts

Here is an attempt at a summary.

The New Yorker

"Girlfight" is an attempt at feminist populism.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an attempt at" when you want to describe an action or effort directed towards a specific goal, whether successful or not. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid replacing the preposition "at" with other prepositions like "to" or "for". "An attempt at" is the correct form to indicate the target of the attempt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an attempt at" functions as a noun phrase, specifically describing an instance of trying or endeavoring to achieve something. It often acts as a subject complement or object, detailing the nature of an action or effort, as illustrated by Ludwig in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

18%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an attempt at" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe an effort or endeavor towards a specific goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is applicable in various contexts, ranging from formal to informal. It frequently appears in "News & Media", "Science", and academic sources. When using "an attempt at", ensure that it is followed by a noun or a gerund, and avoid replacing the preposition "at" with alternatives. Related phrases include "an effort to", "a stab at", and "a shot at", each carrying slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an effort to

A more general term for trying to achieve something, without specific connotation of success or failure.

an endeavor to

A more formal and serious term suggesting a dedicated and purposeful effort.

an undertaking for

Implies a commitment to start doing something difficult or complex, with focus on the task.

a shot at

Informal expression indicating an opportunity or chance to try something.

a stab at

Suggests a less serious or skilled try, often implying a quick or initial effort.

a crack at

Similar to "a shot at", but slightly more colloquial.

a bid for

Often used in competitive contexts, implying an attempt to win or gain something.

a trial of

Suggests testing or evaluating something, often in a formal or structured setting.

a venture into

Suggests exploring or trying something new or risky.

an experiment with

Implies trying something in a controlled or exploratory manner to see the outcome.

FAQs

How to use "an attempt at" in a sentence?

You can use "an attempt at" to describe someone's effort towards achieving something. For example, "His presentation was "an attempt at" explaining the complex topic in simpler terms."

What can I say instead of "an attempt at"?

You can use alternatives like "an effort to", "a stab at", or "a shot at" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "an attempt at" or "an attempt to"?

"An attempt at" is typically followed by a noun or gerund (verb ending in -ing), while "an attempt to" is followed by a verb. For example, "an attempt at a solution" versus "an attempt to solve the problem".

What's the difference between "an attempt at" and "an effort at"?

While similar, "an attempt at" often implies a specific, targeted action, whereas "an effort at" can refer to a more general or sustained undertaking. They are largely interchangeable, but context may favor one over the other.