an attempt at explaining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an attempt at explaining" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing efforts to clarify or make something understandable. Example: "This is an attempt at explaining the complex theory behind quantum mechanics."

✓ Grammatically correct

Clinical Biochemistry

Encyclopedia Britannica

Independent

The Guardian - Sport

The Guardian - Film

Wikipedia

Huffington Post

The New York Times - Travel

The New York Times

Los Angeles Times

The Economist

The Guardian

EPJ Data Science

University of Chicago

HuffPost

Forbes

The Guardian - Opinion

Vice

Biology Direct

University of California, Berkeley

SEP

Heart

Nature

Plosone

Behaviour Research and Therapy

BMC Infectious Diseases

Surface and Coatings Technology

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Our study conducted in Graves' patients, free of ocular changes at the time of recruitment, is an attempt at explaining these ambiguities.

Clinical Biochemistry

Secondly, there is no reason for astonishment that psychoanalysis, which was originally no more than an attempt at explaining pathological mental phenomena, should have developed into a psychology of normal mental life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It appears to be an attempt at explaining or justifying the barbaric murder - urging the removal of "so-called politicians" and making bizarre references to "international armed robbery" and "bewitching tongues".

Independent

The attempt to connect sport to art during the Olympics has a long history, you could say, but in today's world of high justification, it also represents an attempt at explaining away huge costs.

The Guardian - Sport

It's clearly – and this is, by and large, a strikingly foggy film – a fascist parable, an attempt at explaining the psychology of the people who came to power some 30 years later.

The Guardian - Film

This may have been an attempt at explaining the theory of contemporary Greek astronomers such as Eratosthenes that the Earth is round.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

A Canadian attempt at explaining Niagara, a film called "Niagara's Fury" (niagarasfury.com), which is shown in a building near the Horseshoe's crest, is entertaining for children but not especially informative, mixing cartoon stereotypes with snippets of textbook language.

The New York Times - Travel

Don't you want him to have a normal job?" I offered a feeble attempt at explaining that my husband had no intention of leaving the military anytime in the near future and that I wholeheartedly supported his career despite the hardships.

The New York Times

But at the very least it's a failed attempt at explaining how to hyphenate a modifier that comes after a noun or verb.

Los Angeles Times

Some readers may find the mathematical chapters heavy going, but Mr Derbyshire makes a valiant attempt at explaining the mathematical ideas around the problem.

The Economist

In a bizarre attempt at explaining or justifying the slaughter, it has been proffered that these were thugs, armed with lethal weapons intent on killing others.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an attempt at explaining", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being explained and why the attempt is being made. This provides clarity and purpose to your writing.

Common error

Avoid phrases like "an attempt at explaining" without specifying what you're trying to explain. Always provide context to make your writing clear and understandable for the reader. For example, instead of just saying "It was an attempt at explaining", specify "It was an attempt at explaining the economic crisis".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an attempt at explaining" functions as a noun phrase that introduces or describes an effort to clarify or elucidate something. It specifies the nature of the attempt, indicating it is related to the act of explaining. Ludwig's examples confirm its use in various contexts to denote efforts to make something understandable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an attempt at explaining" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce efforts aimed at clarifying complex subjects. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase effectively sets the stage for explanations across various contexts, from academic discussions to news reports. While "an attempt at explaining" is not exceedingly common, it is well-recognized and versatile, offering a clear signal to the audience that an explanation is forthcoming. Remember to provide sufficient context when using this phrase and consider alternatives like "an effort to clarify" to best suit the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an effort to explain

Replaces 'attempt' with 'effort', suggesting a more sustained or deliberate approach.

a try at explaining

Substitutes 'attempt' with 'try', indicating a less formal or experimental approach.

an endeavor to clarify

Replaces 'attempt at explaining' with 'endeavor to clarify', focusing on making something clearer.

a bid to elucidate

Uses 'bid to elucidate' instead of 'attempt at explaining', suggesting a more formal and intellectual approach to making something understandable.

an exercise in interpretation

Shifts the focus from explaining to interpreting, implying a more subjective understanding.

an undertaking to rationalize

Changes the aim to 'rationalize', implying an effort to justify or make something seem logical.

a venture into exposition

Replaces with a more elaborate and formal approach to presentation.

an approach to interpreting

Highlights a specific method of interpretation rather than a general attempt.

a stab at defining

Emphasizes an initial or incomplete effort to define something.

a go at demystifying

Focuses on making something less mysterious or complicated.

FAQs

How can I use "an attempt at explaining" in a sentence?

You can use "an attempt at explaining" to introduce an effort to clarify a complex topic. For example: "This article is "an attempt at explaining" quantum physics in simple terms."

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

Alternatives include "an effort to clarify", "a try at elucidating", or "an endeavor to interpret", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "attempt to explain" or "an attempt at explaining"?

Both are grammatically correct, but ""an attempt at explaining"" often implies a more involved or complex explanation, while "attempt to explain" is more direct.

What's the difference between "an attempt at explaining" and "an attempt to explain"?

While both convey a similar meaning, ""an attempt at explaining"" emphasizes the process of explaining, whereas "an attempt to explain" focuses on the goal of explaining. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the effort or the outcome.