attempt of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempt of" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when referring to an effort or endeavor to achieve something, but "attempt at" is more standard. Example: "His attempt of solving the puzzle was commendable, but he needed more time."

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was Namath's last pass attempt of the game.

The New York Times

An attempt of a less serious offense is usually ignored.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The final shot was his only field-goal attempt of the game.

The New York Times - Sports

And I can't see an honest attempt of constructive explanation in the manuscript.

The Guardian

It is the futile attempt of corrupt national leaders to cling to power.

The New York Times

Lawrence Tynes missed an extra point, the team's third blown point-after attempt of the season.

The New York Times - Sports

The third miss, the 45-yarder, was the worst attempt of the three.

The New York Times

What worries us is the attempt of some secular elements to isolate and exclude others.

The Guardian - Opinion

Musab had been inspired by the recent escape attempt of his fellow Syrian, Ahmed.

The Guardian

The attempt of each to do so is bound to be frustrated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Thus ended the last attempt of a medieval king to exercise arbitrary power.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically acceptable, consider using "attempt at" or "effort to" for a more standard and widely accepted phrasing.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the phrase "attempt of" in formal contexts. Opt for more conventional alternatives like "attempt at" or "effort to" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempt of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun to describe an action or effort directed towards a particular goal. It often follows a noun, specifying the nature of the "effort to" or try. Ludwig's analysis indicates that this usage, while present, is less standard than alternatives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

17%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "attempt of" is used, it's generally considered less standard than alternatives like "attempt at" or "effort to". Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase, though grammatically acceptable, may sound awkward to some. It's best practice to opt for more conventional phrasing in formal writing to ensure clarity and maintain a professional tone. Although the phrase is fairly frequent in a wide range of contexts, you might consider the more common alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

effort at

Combines "effort" with "at" to create a more standard and grammatically accepted phrase.

effort to

Replaces "attempt" with "effort", shifting the focus to the exertion of energy.

endeavor to

Uses "endeavor" instead of "attempt", suggesting a more earnest or prolonged effort.

try at

Replaces "attempt" with "try", implying a less formal or serious effort.

bid to

Uses "bid" to suggest a competitive or strategic attempt.

venture to

Suggests a risky or uncertain attempt, replacing "attempt" with "venture".

shot at

Uses "shot" to imply an attempt with uncertain outcome.

go at

Replaces "attempt" with "go", suggesting a direct or aggressive approach.

stab at

Uses "stab" to imply a clumsy or imprecise attempt.

crack at

Employs "crack" instead of "attempt", denoting a casual or initial try.

FAQs

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

You can use "attempt of" to describe an effort made towards a specific goal, although it's often more natural to say "attempt at" or "effort to".

What's a good alternative to "attempt of"?

Consider using "attempt at" or "effort to" as more standard and grammatically favored alternatives.

Is "attempt of" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "attempt of" is less common than "attempt at". The latter is generally preferred in formal writing.

What's the difference between "attempt of" and "attempt at"?

"Attempt at" is the more idiomatic and frequently used phrase in modern English. While "attempt of" is understandable, it can sound slightly awkward or less natural compared to "attempt at".