attempt to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempt to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing an effort or endeavor to achieve a certain state or quality. Example: "She made an attempt to be more organized this year by using a planner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

There was no attempt to be relevant.

The New York Times - Arts

Minado doesn't attempt to be innovative.

The New York Times

Some don't even attempt to be clever.

The New York Times - Books

Mayfield sued in an attempt to be reinstated.

The New York Times

Fourth, it makes no attempt to be modern.

Independent

I don't attempt to be scary," she once said.

The Guardian

This time there was no attempt to be glitzy.

The Guardian - Sport

Signals frugality even in midst of attempt to be generous?

The New Yorker

Richard Bent "That's not an attempt to be ironic.

The Guardian - Music

But his attempt to be a regular guy backfired.

The New York Times - Magazine

We had to make one last attempt to be heard.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attempt to be" when you want to emphasize a deliberate effort or try to achieve a specific quality or state. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using overly formal alternatives like "endeavor to be" in everyday conversation. Stick to "try to be" for more casual settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempt to be" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used as part of a verb phrase to express intention or effort. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a grammatically correct construction for describing an effort to achieve a particular state or quality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempt to be" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that conveys the idea of making an effort to reach a specific state or quality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile enough for various contexts, though slightly more formal than "try to be". It appears commonly in news, science, and general writing, with top sources including The New York Times and The Guardian. When writing, remember that the best alternatives are "strive to be" or "try to be" and avoid overly formal options in casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to be

A more casual and common way to express the same idea.

aim to be

Highlights the goal-oriented aspect of the effort.

strive to be

Implies a more determined and sustained effort.

seek to be

Suggests a deliberate and focused pursuit.

endeavor to be

A more formal and less frequent alternative.

make an effort to be

A more descriptive and less concise alternative.

aspire to be

Indicates a strong desire and ambition.

work to be

Emphasizes the active effort involved.

struggle to be

Highlights the difficulty and challenge involved.

take steps to be

Implies a more deliberate and methodical approach.

FAQs

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

You can use "attempt to be" to describe an effort to achieve a particular state or quality, such as "The company made an "attempt to be" more environmentally friendly".

What are some alternatives to "attempt to be"?

Alternatives include "try to be", "strive to be", or "aim to be", each carrying a slightly different nuance.

Is it better to say "attempt to be" or "try to be"?

"Attempt to be" and "try to be" are largely interchangeable, but "attempt to be" can sound slightly more formal or deliberate.

What's the difference between "attempt to be" and "strive to be"?

"Attempt to be" implies a single effort, while "strive to be" suggests a continuous and persistent effort toward a goal.