an attempt on my part

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an attempt on my part" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express that you are making an effort or trying to do something. Example: "I apologize for the misunderstanding; it was an attempt on my part to clarify the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

FEY -- It was an attempt on my part to counteract the stereotype that girls can't do math.

The New York Times

It's an attempt on my part to work out why existentialism, with its emphasis on freedom and responsibility, should not be so popular here.

The Guardian - Books

They weren't terribly dark secrets – this was more of an attempt, on my part, to explain to her why I hadn't turned out to have the kind of life she'd wanted for me.

The Guardian - Books

"But, you know, this is an attempt on my part to support a campaign which is encouraging people to think about what is acceptable in terms of media sexism".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In an email to the Guardian, Hinton claimed they "regularly ran into each other" at the gym and that after their initial conversation, "all subsequent contact amounted to an attempt on my part to clear the air".

The Guardian

It's also clearly an attempt on my part to be funny to kids and grown-ups.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

How quickly my disposition changed, without any attempt on my part, all because of an old familiar song that both brought me back to my high school days and reminded me of the present-day strength of my relationship with my husband.

Huffington Post

But any attempt on my part to be alone — meditating, showering, walking out into the hallway to dump trash down the chute — results in that same siren sound.

The New Yorker

But any attempt on my part to be alone – meditating, showering, walking out into the hallway to dump trash down the chute – results in that same siren sound.

The Guardian

It's a fun way to relax and get someone else to make my hair look much better than any attempt on my part at home, so the Treat proposal seemed intriguing.

TechCrunch

And yet I wonder: what I wrote above was an active attempt on my part to sympathise with Abdul-Rahman Peter Kassig, Alan Henning, Steven Sotloff, James Foley and David Haines in the last moments of their lives.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an attempt on my part" to clearly indicate that you are taking responsibility for an action or effort. It's useful when explaining your motivations or apologizing for unintended consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "an attempt on my part" in very informal conversations. Simpler phrases like "I tried" or "I was trying to" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an attempt on my part" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a verb. It denotes an effort or endeavor undertaken by the speaker. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically sound and clear in its meaning.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

12.5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6.25%

Wiki

6.25%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an attempt on my part" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate personal effort or intention. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's more common in formal contexts like news and academic writing. Alternatives include "my effort" or "I tried to", which might be more suitable for informal settings. When you want to emphasize your role in an action, especially when clarifying motivations or taking responsibility, "an attempt on my part" serves well.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my effort

Replaces the full phrase with a simpler, more direct noun phrase.

I made an effort

Highlights the exertion of effort rather than the attempt itself.

my endeavor

Substitutes "attempt" with a more formal synonym.

in my effort

Similar to "my effort" but embedded in a longer sentence.

I tried to

Expresses the attempt as a past action of the speaker.

my aim was to

Focuses on the intention behind the attempt.

my go at it

Replaces "attempt" with a more informal idiom.

I gave it a shot

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the idea of trying something.

I sought to

More formal way of expressing the intention to try something.

on my initiative

Shifts the focus to who started the attempt

FAQs

How can I use "an attempt on my part" in a sentence?

You can use "an attempt on my part" to describe something you tried to do. For example, "It was "an attempt on my part" to fix the issue."

What can I say instead of "an attempt on my part"?

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

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "an attempt on my part"?

It is appropriate in situations where you want to take ownership of an action, especially when explaining intentions or apologizing for unintended outcomes.

Is "an attempt on my part" formal or informal?

It leans towards the formal side. In very informal settings, simpler alternatives like "I tried" might be preferable.