attempt at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempt at" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to making an effort to do something. For example: "The student made an attempted at the exam, but didn't do well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The attempt at peace failed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

NOPI was an attempt at both.

The New Yorker

Cameron made an attempt at this.

Independent

This was an attempt at irony.

The New York Times - Arts

What a terrible attempt at positive spin.

The New Yorker

An attempt at resuscitation is under way.

The New Yorker

It was an attempt at self-hypnosis.

The New York Times

This attempt at biological eradication failed.

The Economist

The shooter has one attempt at each.

Independent

There is no attempt at arbitrage".

The New York Times

This is their attempt at triage".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attempt at" when you want to emphasize the effort made, regardless of the outcome. It is suitable when you are narrating a process or evaluating performance.

Common error

Avoid using "attempt at" excessively in your writing. While grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "effort to" or "try to" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempt at" functions as a noun phrase followed by a preposition. It typically describes an effort or endeavor made towards a specific goal or action, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

24%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempt at" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe an effort made towards something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports and academic writing to casual conversations. While it's generally neutral in tone, varying your language with synonyms like "effort to" or "try to" can enhance your writing. Remember that "attempt at" is often followed by a gerund (verb ending in -ing), but "attempt to" is also a correct option, typically preceding a base verb. Use "attempt at" effectively by emphasizing the endeavor, regardless of its success, in your narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

effort to

Replaces "attempt" with the synonym "effort" and changes the preposition to "to".

endeavor to

Substitutes "attempt" with the more formal "endeavor" and uses "to" instead of "at".

try to

A more concise alternative, replacing "attempt at" with the simpler verb "try".

shot at

An idiomatic alternative, implying an opportunity or chance to do something.

stab at

Similar to "shot at", but with a slightly more informal tone.

go at

An idiomatic phrase expressing an effort toward something.

crack at

Suggests a casual or playful attempt.

venture into

Implies starting something new or risky.

initiative for

Replaces "attempt" with a noun and changes the preposition to "for".

experiment with

Suggests testing and exploring something new.

FAQs

How can I use "attempt at" in a sentence?

You can use "attempt at" to describe an effort or try to do something, such as "This is my first attempt at poetry" or "The project was an attempt at innovation".

What are some alternatives to "attempt at"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "effort to", "try to", or "shot at".

Is it correct to say "attempt to" instead of "attempt at"?

While "attempt at" is correct, "attempt to" is also grammatically sound and often preferred when followed by a verb. For example, "attempt to solve" is more common than "attempt at solving".

What is the difference between "attempt at" and "effort at"?

"Attempt at" and "effort to" are quite similar, but "attempt" generally refers to a single instance or action, while "effort" can imply a sustained series of actions. They are often interchangeable, though!