an attempt to undo

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an attempt to undo" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an effort or action aimed at reversing or negating something that has been done. Example: "The committee made an attempt to undo the changes made to the policy after receiving feedback from the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"It's about an attempt to undo an election, like Florida".

The New York Times

He uses his secret couplings, the most potent weapon at his disposal, in an attempt to undo it all.

The New York Times - Books

The attack on the base started before dawn on Saturday and is seen as an attempt to undo recent improvements in the relationship between India and Pakistan.

The Guardian

The prime minister's efforts appear to be an attempt to undo some of the damage done to UK-Polish relations since the vote for Brexit.

The Guardian

The government assault this week is an attempt to undo perhaps the most humiliating defeat that the military has suffered since the conflict began.

The New York Times

After the union of its north and south in 1990, the central authorities encouraged the revival of seminaries, such as Tarim, in an attempt to undo the legacy of religious persecution by the Marxist southerners.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

In his speech, Mr. Gandhi warned that any attempt to undo the checks and balances of the parliamentary system "sets a dangerous precedent for a democracy".

The New York Times

The poll found that even as voters approved of his performance as mayor, they would strongly oppose any attempt to undo the limits.

The New York Times

The newly translated stories from Tolstoy's wife and son are "each a passionate attempt to undo the message of the original work", said the publisher.

The Guardian - Books

Translating eduspeak Lukewarm localism Hitting the buffers The spiral of ignorance Internship ReprintsThe Tories' professed motives restoring civic pride, reviving public faith in politics, rebalancing the economy to make it less reliant on London are a laudable attempt to undo some of the work of Margaret Thatcher.

The Economist

An initial attempt to undo such terminological confusion is to refer to etymology and to retrace the path of the concept into clinical practice.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "an attempt to undo", ensure the context clearly specifies what is being undone and why. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "an attempt to undo" without specifying what exactly is being undone. Vague references can confuse readers and weaken the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an attempt to undo" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an action or effort aimed at reversing or canceling a prior action or decision, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an attempt to undo" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes an effort to reverse or negate a previous action or decision. As per Ludwig, it's crucial to specify what is being undone for clarity. Alternatives like "an effort to reverse" or "a bid to negate" can be used depending on the specific context. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias and maintains a neutral tone. When using the phrase, avoid overgeneralization and ensure the context is clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a strategy to undo

Highlights a carefully planned method of reversing something, suggesting foresight and tactical thinking.

an effort to reverse

Focuses on the effort or exertion made to turn something back to a previous state.

a bid to negate

Highlights the intention to cancel out or invalidate something.

a project to correct

Highlights the goal of fixing or amending something that is wrong or inaccurate

an endeavor to nullify

Emphasizes a serious or formal attempt to render something void or ineffective.

a measure to rectify

Suggests an official or formal action taken to correct an injustice or wrong doing

an initiative to repeal

Specifically refers to the act of revoking or annulling a law or regulation.

an action to invalidate

Suggests taking concrete steps to make something legally or officially void.

a campaign to overturn

Implies a sustained and organized effort to reverse a decision or outcome.

a move to retract

Focuses on withdrawing or taking back a statement or action.

FAQs

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

You can use "an attempt to undo" to describe an effort to reverse or nullify a previous action or decision. For example: "The government's new policy is "an attempt to undo" the previous administration's environmental regulations."

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

Some alternatives to "an attempt to undo" include phrases like "an effort to reverse", "a bid to negate", or "an endeavor to nullify".

Is it better to use "attempt to undo" or "effort to reverse"?

Both "attempt to undo" and "effort to reverse" are valid, but "attempt to undo" might imply a more direct or forceful action, while "effort to reverse" could suggest a more gradual or complex process. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "an attempt to undo" and "an attempt to correct"?

"An attempt to undo" implies reversing something to a previous state, while "an attempt to correct" suggests fixing or improving something. For example, "an attempt to undo" a law would mean repealing it, while "an attempt to correct" a law would mean amending it.