attempt to cut

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempt to cut" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an effort to reduce, remove, or sever something, whether literally or figuratively. Example: "The company made an attempt to cut costs by streamlining its operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Do not attempt to cut the apple ends if the apple is sliding against the cutting board.

WikiHow

Comment about the Republicans' attempt to cut Medicare.

The New Yorker

So let's attempt to cut through the noise.

The Guardian - Music

She made a feeble attempt to cut her wrists.

The New York Times

The simpler design was probably an attempt to cut costs.

The New York Times

It had not, he wrote, been "'a systematic attempt to cut the painter down to size'.

The Guardian - Arts

His choice was the singleton trump in an attempt to cut down ruffs.

The New York Times - Arts

Now they are considering "modifying school hours" as a last-ditch attempt to cut costs.

The Guardian

MEPs' attempt to cut one of this year's 12 Strasbourg sessions prompted France to file a lawsuit.

The Economist

"There is an attempt to cut the importance and significance of P.T.I.," said Mr. Khan, the lawyer.

The New York Times

But he is very much the author of the latest attempt to cut Mr Cameron down to size.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attempt to cut" in business contexts, be specific about what you're trying to reduce (e.g., "attempt to cut costs", "attempt to cut production time") for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "attempt to cut" without specifying what is being cut. Vague statements like "the company will attempt to cut" leave the audience unclear about the goal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempt to cut" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating an effort or endeavor to reduce or sever something. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it often precedes a noun that specifies what is being reduced, such as "attempt to cut costs" or "attempt to cut spending".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "attempt to cut" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe an effort to reduce or sever something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is frequently found in news and media, as well as in wiki articles and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, it's best practice to be specific about what is being reduced to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "try to reduce" or "seek to diminish" can be used depending on the intended nuance. While widely accepted and versatile, clarity and context are key to effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to reduce

Focuses on the effort to lessen an amount or degree.

make an effort to decrease

Directly states the action of trying to lower something.

plan to cut back

Highlights the intention to reduce consumption or spending.

seek to diminish

Emphasizes the intention to lessen the importance or impact.

take steps to minimize

Indicates a series of actions aimed at reducing something to the smallest possible amount.

aim to curtail

Highlights the goal of restricting or limiting something.

endeavor to sever

Implies a determined effort to completely separate or disconnect.

strive to lessen

Suggests a continuous effort to make something smaller or weaker.

undertake to prune

Refers to selectively reducing or removing parts of something, often in a figurative sense.

work to alleviate

Focuses on reducing the severity or intensity of something negative.

FAQs

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

Use "attempt to cut" to describe an effort to reduce or sever something. For example, "The government made an "attempt to cut" spending on non-essential programs".

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

You can use alternatives like "try to reduce", "seek to diminish", or "aim to curtail" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "attempt to cut" or "attempt at cutting"?

"Attempt to cut" is generally preferred because it is more direct and concise. "Attempt at cutting" can be used, but it is less common.

What's the difference between "attempt to cut" and "plan to cut"?

"Attempt to cut" describes an action being undertaken, while "plan to cut" indicates a future intention. For example, "They "attempt to cut" expenses this quarter" versus "They "plan to cut" expenses next quarter".