attempt to close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempt to close" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an effort to bring something to a conclusion or to finalize a matter. Example: "The team will make an attempt to close the deal by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An attempt to close you completely?

The Guardian

DEC has filed suit against Riverside in an attempt to close the plant.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The present study was initiated as an attempt to close this gap.

Differentiation

The administration was right to warn Iran against any attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz.

The New York Times

"It's an attempt to close up the holes in the N.P.T.," he said in an interview.

The New York Times

Slashing spending now in a premature attempt to close the deficit would have been disastrous.

The Guardian - Opinion

An attempt to close them down could produce an explosion of protest from defenders of free speech.

The Economist

The decision on Thursday was the second ruling in recent weeks to interrupt SUNY's attempt to close LICH.

The New York Times

He fought an attempt to close it in 2008, and spent many working afternoons there late into his retirement years.

The Economist

Universal Music Group's price cut last week was in part a belated attempt to close this gap.

The Economist

This was an attempt to close that chapter.Back from the brinkTo many, this turnaround verges on the hallucinatory.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attempt to close" when you want to emphasize the effort or intention behind finalizing something, even if the outcome is uncertain. For example, "The company made an "attempt to close" the deal, but negotiations fell through."

Common error

Avoid using "attempt to close" repeatedly in formal writing. Instead, vary your language with alternatives like "try to finalize" or "make an effort to conclude" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempt to close" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often following a noun or pronoun, indicating an effort to bring something to a conclusion. As Ludwig explains, it describes the action of trying to finalize a matter. The examples show it being used in various contexts, from closing deals to shutting down organizations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempt to close" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe the effort to finalize or conclude something. Ludwig highlights its wide applicability across diverse contexts, as evidenced by its common usage in news, scientific research, and academic discourse. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it's important to be mindful of overuse in highly formal settings and consider alternatives like "try to finalize" or "make an effort to conclude" where appropriate. Ludwig's analysis and examples confirm that "attempt to close" is a clear and effective way to communicate the intention behind bringing something to a conclusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to finalize

Focuses more directly on the act of finalizing, rather than the attempt itself.

make an effort to conclude

Emphasizes the effort involved in reaching a conclusion.

seek to complete

Highlights the desire to bring something to its completion.

endeavor to end

Highlights the effort to bring something to an end.

aim to shut down

Implies a specific action of shutting something down, rather than a general closing.

take steps to conclude

Focuses on the actions taken to finalize a matter.

strive to resolve

Suggests a more determined effort to find a resolution.

move to wrap up

Suggests a process of concluding something.

undertake to terminate

Presents a formal approach to ending something.

work towards closure

Emphasizes the ongoing effort to achieve closure.

FAQs

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

You can use "attempt to close" to describe an effort to finalize or conclude something. For example, "The negotiators made an "attempt to close" the deal before the deadline."

What can I say instead of "attempt to close"?

You can use alternatives like "try to finalize", "make an effort to conclude", or "seek to complete" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "attempt to close" or "attempt at closing"?

"Attempt to close" and "attempt at closing" are both grammatically correct, but "attempt to close" is more commonly used and generally preferred. "Attempt at closing" emphasizes the process, while "attempt to close" emphasizes the goal.

What's the difference between "attempt to close" and "move to wrap up"?

"Attempt to close" suggests a deliberate effort to finalize something, while "move to wrap up" suggests a procedural step in bringing something to a conclusion. The former emphasizes effort, the latter emphasizes progression.