attempt both

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempt both" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when suggesting or encouraging someone to try two different options or tasks simultaneously. Example: "I think you should attempt both strategies to see which one yields better results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

It would be lunacy to attempt both, or would it?

The New York Times - Sports

It's clearly meant to disturb, but it crosses an ethical line that other pieces, including "The Beaver Trilogy," attempt both to demarcate and to skirt.

The New York Times

Rule one of intellectual engagement is that all parties must sincerely attempt both to understand others and to make themselves understood.

The Guardian - Opinion

For all its faults, Osborne's budget was one that made some attempt, both rhetorically and in reality, to share the pain.

The Guardian - Opinion

Felix, who won the 400 at the United States championships in June, had been hesitant to attempt both races, not wanting anything to derail her quest to win a fourth straight world 200 title.

The New York Times - Sports

Experts say that two main risk factors for suicide are depression and a prior suicide attempt, both of which were in Mr. Jefferson's past, although few of his friends or family knew of that earlier close call.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

He finished this season with 1,435 yards on 315 attempts, both team records and career highs.

The New York Times - Sports

James Lee Byars's performances and installations attempted both profoundly spirited revelation and irreverent cultural subversion.

The Guardian - Arts

Ferreira, a greater dramatist, likewise attempted both tragedy based on Classical models and popular comedy derived from Roman models.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Core categories – DVD and music sales – are in decline and attempts both to diversify and to compete online with Play.com and Amazon have had only limited success.

The Guardian - Business

But few startups have attempted both sides.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attempt both" when you want to emphasize the effort to accomplish two different things, especially when the outcome is uncertain. Ensure that the context clearly indicates what the two things being attempted are.

Common error

Ensure that the "both" in "attempt both" refers to two distinct and clearly defined actions or goals. Avoid ambiguity by specifying what is being attempted in each case.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempt both" functions as a verb phrase indicating an effort to perform two distinct actions or achieve two different goals. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempt both" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate an effort to perform two actions simultaneously. As Ludwig AI states, it is widely applicable in diverse contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Science, with a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding what "both" refers to, and consider alternatives like "try to achieve both" or "aim to accomplish both" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to achieve both

Focuses on the achievement aspect rather than just the attempt.

seek to do both

Implies a more deliberate and planned effort.

aim to accomplish both

Highlights the intention and goal-oriented nature of the action.

undertake both actions

More formal and emphasizes the commitment to the actions.

strive for both outcomes

Emphasizes the effort and dedication towards achieving the outcomes.

endeavor to perform both

A more formal and sophisticated way of expressing the attempt.

pursue both simultaneously

Highlights the concurrent nature of the actions.

work towards both goals

Focuses on the progress and effort directed towards specific goals.

tackle both challenges

Emphasizes the problem-solving aspect of the attempt.

handle both tasks

More casual and emphasizes the management of tasks.

FAQs

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

You can use "attempt both" to indicate that someone is trying to do two things at the same time. For example, "She will "attempt both" the 200m and 400m races at the Olympics".

What's a simpler way to say "attempt both"?

Alternatives to "attempt both" include "try to achieve both", "seek to do both", or "aim to accomplish both", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "attempt both"?

Yes, "attempt both" is grammatically correct. It's used to describe the action of trying to do two different things.

Which is correct, "attempt both" or "attempt to both"?

"Attempt both" is more concise and commonly used. "Attempt to both" isn't typically used. For example, say "They will "attempt both" to reduce costs and increase sales" rather than "They will attempt to both reduce costs and increase sales".