an attempt to override

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an attempt to override" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an effort to take control or change a situation, often in a technical or authoritative context. Example: "The software update was an attempt to override the previous settings that were causing errors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Adding the sauce in Hetherington's pasta example is an attempt to override SSS.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He has strongly counseled Republican legislators from supporting an attempt to override his veto on same-sex marriage.

The New York Times

Update: On Wednesday afternoon, an attempt to override Governor Nixon's veto of the tax cut bill fell short in the Missouri House.

The New York Times

When Congress reconvenes on Nov. 16th, there will be an attempt to override the PResident's veto of the bill limiting the amount of money that political candidates can spend for the purchase of television & radio time.

The New Yorker

Early elections, which Mr Abbas has called for, are impossible without Hamas's consent.Mr Abbas may be trying to manoeuvre the Palestine Liberation Organisation, the worldwide umbrella body (of which he is also chairman), into holding elections for its own representative council for the first time in a decade, perhaps in an attempt to override parliament.

The Economist

Holding down the start button appears to have been an attempt to override a safety system that might have been detecting a problem, the NTSB report suggested.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

He sought, as an honest broker, to reconcile Guelf (i.e., pro-papal) and Ghibelline (i.e., pro-imperial) factions, but it was soon apparent that any attempt to override those old loyalties entailed a massive assault upon the political status quo, a revolution that would be fiercely resisted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While White House officials have indicated that Obama would veto any attempt to override his proposal to regulate these facilities, Democrats will still have to defend this policy on the campaign trail in conservative states this fall.

The Washington Post

The House had ruled out any attempt to override her vetoes for the legislative session.

Wikipedia

The maneuver would be a blatant attempt to override the election of Judge Mike Morgan, whose addition to the court flipped its political lean from 4-3 with a Republican advantage to 4-3 with a Democratic advantage.

Huffington Post

The other candidates strongly opposed it with Ms. Williamson calling it a multinational corporate attempt to "override US sovereignty".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical processes or legal challenges, using the phrase "an attempt to override" can clearly convey the intention to bypass or counteract a system or decision.

Common error

Avoid using "an attempt to override" in casual conversation; simpler phrases like "trying to change" or "trying to stop" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an attempt to override" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI points out, it signifies an effort to negate or counteract something, whether it's a decision, system, or set of rules.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an attempt to override" is a versatile phrase suitable for formal and professional contexts, used to describe efforts to negate, counteract, or invalidate something. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable, particularly effective when referring to technical processes or legal challenges. While common across news and scientific domains, it should be used judiciously in informal settings where simpler phrasing may be more appropriate. Alternatives such as "an effort to nullify" or "a move to counteract" can offer similar meanings with slight shifts in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an effort to nullify

Focuses specifically on rendering something legally or officially void.

a measure to invalidate

Directly targets the legitimacy or correctness of something.

a move to counteract

Highlights the action taken to oppose or negate the effects of something.

an initiative to negate

Emphasizes the proactive and planned nature of the attempt to cancel something out.

an action to supersede

Implies replacing something with a newer or more effective alternative.

a plan to neutralize

Focuses on rendering something ineffective or harmless.

a strategy to subvert

Implies an attempt to undermine or overthrow something established.

a step to reverse

Indicates an action taken to undo or revert something back to its previous state.

a bid to overturn

Suggests a strong attempt to change or reverse a decision or situation.

a campaign to quash

Suggests a determined effort to suppress or put an end to something.

FAQs

How can I use "an attempt to override" in a sentence?

You can use "an attempt to override" to describe a situation where someone is trying to negate or counteract something. For example, "The software update was "an attempt to override" the previous settings."

What are some alternatives to "an attempt to override"?

Some alternatives include "an effort to nullify", "a move to counteract", or "a measure to invalidate", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "an attempt to override"?

It's appropriate to use "an attempt to override" in formal or technical contexts when describing efforts to bypass rules, systems, or decisions. In more casual situations, simpler phrasing might be preferable.

Is "an attempt to override" formal or informal?

"An attempt to override" leans towards a more formal register. In less formal contexts, consider alternatives like "trying to change" or "trying to get around" for a more relaxed tone.