attempt to achieve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempt to achieve" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is generally used to describe someone's effort or action to reach a goal or desired outcome. Here is an example sentence: "Despite facing many challenges, the team made a valiant attempt to achieve their goal of winning the championship."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His own writing became an attempt to achieve something similar.

The Guardian - Books

And how did they attempt to achieve them?

Stanford University

These pardons represent an attempt to achieve fairness and justice".

The New York Times

The attempt to achieve national unification through liberal reform was followed by an attempt to achieve it through conservative statesmanship.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It should, instead, represent the better virtues of humans in its attempt to achieve justice.

The New York Times

"That is the central part of our attempt to achieve human rights".

The Guardian

Also, there is no apparent attempt to achieve regional, national, or ethnic balance.

The New Yorker

"So I attempt to achieve a sense of eternal from the ephemeral".

The Guardian - Arts

Alternatively, people have tried airbreathing approaches, which are also an attempt to achieve large Isp.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Hedge funds are quite diverse in their attempt to achieve these goals.

Yale University

Several approaches were examined in an attempt to achieve fully exfoliated nanocomposites.

Polymer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs if you want to convey success more directly. If the outcome is certain or already accomplished, consider using "achieve", "accomplish", or "realize" instead of "attempt to achieve".

Common error

Avoid using "attempt to achieve" when the successful completion of an action is already known or highly probable. For example, instead of saying "They attempted to achieve building a bridge and succeeded", state directly: "They built the bridge".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempt to achieve" functions as an infinitive phrase indicating purpose or intention. It modifies a verb by explaining the reason behind an action. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

31%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempt to achieve" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that expresses the intention to reach a goal. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, ranging from science and news to academia, though it is especially prevalent in formal writing. While interchangeable with alternatives like "try to accomplish" or "aim to realize", "attempt to achieve" often provides a more formal tone. Remember to use it accurately to convey effort without implying guaranteed success, and avoid overusing it when the outcome is already clear. Ludwig provides a wealth of examples to guide its effective use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to accomplish

Replaces "attempt" with "try" and "achieve" with "accomplish", offering a slightly more casual tone.

seek to attain

Substitutes "attempt" with "seek" and "achieve" with "attain", suggesting a more formal and deliberate effort.

aim to realize

Replaces "attempt" with "aim" and "achieve" with "realize", emphasizing the intention to make something concrete.

strive to reach

Substitutes "attempt" with "strive" and "achieve" with "reach", highlighting the effort and determination involved.

endeavor to fulfill

Replaces "attempt" with "endeavor" and "achieve" with "fulfill", indicating a commitment to completing something.

work towards attaining

Emphasizes the ongoing effort and progression toward a specific goal.

make an effort to secure

Focuses on the exertion of effort in order to obtain something.

take steps to gain

Highlights the concrete actions taken to acquire something.

pursue the objective of

Shifts the focus to the active pursuit of a defined objective.

aspire to complete

Implies a high level of ambition and a desire for thoroughness.

FAQs

How can I use "attempt to achieve" in a sentence?

You can use "attempt to achieve" to describe actions taken with the goal of accomplishing something, as in "The company made an "attempt to achieve" greater market share through aggressive marketing campaigns".

What are some alternatives to "attempt to achieve"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "try to accomplish", "seek to attain", or "aim to realize" to convey a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between "attempt to achieve" and simply "achieve"?

"Attempt to achieve" implies an effort made towards a goal, with no guarantee of success. "Achieve" signifies the successful completion of that goal. For example, you might ""attempt to achieve" a higher score", but only "achieve" it if you are successful.

When is it better to use "try to achieve" instead of "attempt to achieve"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable, but "try to achieve" is slightly more informal. "Attempt to achieve" can be more appropriate in formal or academic writing.