an attempt to solve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an attempt to solve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing efforts made to address or resolve a problem or challenge. Example: "The researchers conducted an attempt to solve the complex equation that had puzzled mathematicians for decades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This seems like an attempt to solve the "woman problem".

The Guardian

The Curator's Code is an attempt to solve some of that".

The New York Times

"It's not an attempt to solve the ever-present conundrum of death," Thorpe tells me.

Independent

In an attempt to solve these problems, extended release floating lipid beads were formulated.

European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics

"We've looked at our problems collectively and made an attempt to solve them collectively," he says over and over.

The New York Times

Trainee teachers may be allowed to study at home in an attempt to solve a classroom recruitment crisis.

The Times

Nasa has released pictures of huge patterns drawn on the ground in Kazakhstan, in an attempt to solve the mystery behind how they got there.

Independent

In an attempt to solve the problem, Nuremberg has unveiled ambitious plans to spend the equivalent of £60m in taxpayers' money on a major refurbishment project.

Independent

It was an attempt to solve the innovator's dilemma by creating an operating system and a user interface for both PCs and mobiles.

The Economist

In this film, an art collector guides an unseen interviewer around six paintings by Frédéric Tonnerre in an attempt to solve the mystery of a missing seventh painting.

The Guardian - Film

Major League Baseball initiated the suit as an attempt to solve the obstacles it has faced in punishing players whom it suspects of doping.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an attempt to solve", ensure that the context clearly defines the problem being addressed. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid implying that "an attempt to solve" guarantees a solution. It simply indicates an effort, which may or may not be successful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an attempt to solve" functions as a purpose connector, indicating the reason or intention behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately describes efforts to resolve issues. It's often used to introduce a proposed solution or strategy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an attempt to solve" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to describe efforts made to address a problem. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and its function as a purpose connector. It appears most frequently in news and media, science, and academic contexts, indicating its versatility across different registers. While the phrase is generally neutral, writers should be mindful of overstating the success of the attempt and ensure the problem being addressed is clearly defined. Related phrases like "an endeavor to resolve" or "an effort to address" offer nuanced alternatives depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an endeavor to resolve

Replaces "attempt" with "endeavor", suggesting a more committed or sustained effort.

an effort to address

Substitutes "solve" with "address", indicating a focus on dealing with the issue rather than fully resolving it.

a measure to remedy

Uses "measure" instead of "attempt", implying a specific action taken to correct a problem.

a strategy to overcome

Employs "strategy" instead of "attempt", suggesting a planned approach to conquer a challenge.

an initiative to tackle

Replaces "attempt" with "initiative", indicating a proactive approach to confront a problem.

a move to rectify

Uses "move" instead of "attempt", implying a specific action taken to correct a problem.

an approach to mitigate

Substitutes "solve" with "mitigate", focusing on reducing the severity of the issue rather than eliminating it.

a plan to fix

Uses "plan" instead of "attempt", implying a well-thought-out approach to resolve a problem.

a venture to decipher

Replacing "solve" with "decipher" implies understanding and interpreting a complex issue.

an experiment to clarify

Suggests using the scientific method of experimentation to bring clarity or find answers.

FAQs

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

You can use "an attempt to solve" to describe actions taken to address a problem, such as: "The new policy is "an attempt to solve" the ongoing housing crisis."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "an endeavor to resolve", "an effort to address", or "a measure to remedy", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "an attempt at solving" instead of "an attempt to solve"?

Both "an attempt to solve" and "an attempt at solving" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "An attempt to solve" describes the purpose of the attempt, while "an attempt at solving" focuses on the action itself. "An attempt to solve" is more common.

What's the difference between "an attempt to solve" and "an attempt to address"?

"An attempt to solve" implies a goal of completely resolving a problem, while "an attempt to address" suggests dealing with the problem without necessarily eliminating it entirely. "Solve" suggests a complete fix, while "address" indicates managing or mitigating the issue.