The phrase "are attempting to return" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an ongoing effort to go back to a previous state or location.
Example: "The team are attempting to return to their original plan after the unexpected changes."
Alternatives: "are trying to go back" or "are working to revert."
Complicating relief efforts, tidal waves and flooding have uprooted land mines in a country wracked by war, threatening to kill or maim aid workers and survivors who are attempting to return to what's left of their homes.
The progenitor of the World Wide Web has streamlined his internet activism efforts into a project known as Solid, in which he and his MIT cohorts are attempting to return ownership of social media data to the users that create them.
Iraqis living outside the country are attempting to return to help resist.
"It's terrible," said Laura Ombre, who was attempting to return to her native Netherlands with husband Rob.
She turned down an offer of $2,000 a month from the Russian government and has been attempting to return to her native Peru.
A 16-year veteran, Pettitte is attempting to return after retiring in 2010, when he went 11-3 and compiled a 3.28 earned run average.
Johnson had been attempting to return from a season-ending injury last year in which he tore ligaments in his left knee in the opening game of the season.
The comic appears to be attempting to return to the edgier style of humour that made his name with Brett Ratner's new film Tower Heist, and financial returns for his recent films may indicate why.
Santana is attempting to return as a starter for the Mets after a year-and-a-half-long recovery from surgery to repair a torn capsule in his left shoulder.
Mourning, 33, who had been a star center with the Charlotte Hornets and the Miami Heat, was attempting to return to basketball for the second time since he was found to have focal glomerulosclerosis three years ago.
