attempt to assist

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempt to assist" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an effort made to help someone or something. Example: "The technician made an attempt to assist the customer with their technical issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

After making a halfhearted attempt to assist, she flees.

The New York Times - Books

Phillip Garrido is also said to have made a confession in an attempt to assist her bid for leniency.

The Guardian

But the defense has argued that the letter was a caring son's attempt to assist in his mother's treatment.

The New York Times

As she made her runway sprint at those fateful Goodwill Games, a coach moved the springboard in a misguided attempt to assist her, Sang said.

The New York Times - Sports

The three-page fund-raising letter signed by President Clinton reflects his attempt to assist his wife's campaign while remaining somewhat out of the spotlight.

The New York Times

Outside of the dining room Venezuelan security officials were scuffling with Mexican security guards in an attempt to assist their president".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

The federal police officer was attempting to assist a wounded colleague when he was shot.

Independent

"Hadi attempted to assist al-Qaida and arm them in Mareb province, which would destroy the country," Salam claimed.

The Guardian

International institutions have attempted to assist the city with traffic management, but progress can be hard to find.

The New York Times

Spanish forces attempting to assist the cause of Hugh O'Neill of Ulster were defeated at the Battle of Kinsale in 1601 02.

Encyclopedia Britannica

More to the point, he argues that government attempts to assist black people, even to integrate white institutions, invariably backfire against their purported beneficiaries.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attempt to assist", ensure the context clearly indicates the purpose and nature of the assistance being offered. For example, specify the type of help or the goal of the assistance.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the consequences when an "attempt to assist" is unsuccessful. Acknowledge the effort, but be realistic about the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempt to assist" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It describes the reason or intention behind an action, as seen in Ludwig's examples where individuals or groups make an effort to provide aid or support. It's frequently used to describe actions aimed at providing help.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

35%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempt to assist" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that indicates an effort to provide help or support. As Ludwig examples show, it appears frequently in news, science, and general writing contexts. While versatile, it is important to consider the specific context and outcome when using this phrase. Ludwig AI validates this phrase as a clear and acceptable expression for denoting efforts to help others.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to help

More informal and direct alternative.

endeavor to aid

More formal and emphasizes a serious effort.

seek to assist

Highlights the intention or goal of helping.

strive to help

Emphasizes the effort and determination involved.

make an effort to support

Focuses on the action of providing support.

take steps to aid

Suggests a series of actions to provide assistance.

work to support

Highlights the ongoing nature of the support.

move to assist

Implies a proactive approach to helping.

reach out to help

Highlights the act of contacting someone to offer assistance.

lend a hand to

Idiomatic and suggests direct, practical help.

FAQs

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

You can use "attempt to assist" to describe an effort made to help someone or something. For example, "The doctor made an "attempt to assist" the patient with their recovery."

What are some alternatives to "attempt to assist"?

You can use alternatives like "try to help", "endeavor to aid", or "seek to assist" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "attempting to assist" or "attempt to assist"?

Both "attempting to assist" and "attempt to assist" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Attempt to assist" describes a general intention or plan, while "attempting to assist" describes an ongoing action.

What's the difference between "attempt to assist" and "offer help"?

"Attempt to assist" implies that effort was put in to help, irrespective of the result, while "offer help" only describes that you are making an offer to assist and does not say if an effort was put in, or if you have actually helped the person.