attempt to demonstrate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempt to demonstrate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing efforts to show or prove something, often in academic or formal contexts. Example: "In this study, we attempt to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new teaching method."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Saddam's trial was yet another attempt to demonstrate the justice of the cause.

The New Yorker

This is an attempt to demonstrate that it is not some great corporate monolith.

The Guardian

It was an attempt to demonstrate what language could be, not what it should be.

The New Yorker

Part autobiography, part manifesto, the book is Thoreau's attempt to demonstrate the benefits of a simplified lifestyle close to nature.

The Guardian - Travel

Deutsche Bank has announced plans to buy back £3.7bn of its debt in an attempt to demonstrate its financial strength.

The Guardian - Business

It was an attempt to demonstrate that you're as much a piece of information as tomorrow morning's headlines".

The New York Times - Arts

James Comey, then director of the FBI, was on the receiving end of a similar attempt to demonstrate ownership.

The Guardian

It was a misguided attempt to demonstrate that words are not just words, and pictures are not just pictures.

The New York Times

The most common criticism I received was that it was an attempt to demonstrate that police aren't the problem.

The Washington Post

Nor was it an attempt to demonstrate subservience to the dictator of one of the world's most brutal regimes.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Jordan's final comeback began, in fact, as an attempt to demonstrate that understanding: with a brief foray into office life.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attempt to demonstrate", ensure that the subsequent content provides clear and logical support for the claim being demonstrated. Avoid vague statements or unsupported assertions.

Common error

Avoid using "attempt to demonstrate" when the evidence is weak or inconclusive. Instead, consider using phrases like "suggest" or "indicate" to convey a more nuanced level of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempt to demonstrate" primarily functions as an introductory phrase signaling the intent to provide evidence or support for a claim. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's commonly used to introduce a logical argument or an explanation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

33%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "attempt to demonstrate" is a versatile expression used to introduce evidence or reasoning in support of a claim. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability across academic, news, and professional contexts. While highly functional, writers should be mindful of the strength of their evidence and choose more nuanced language if definitive proof is lacking. Alternatives such as "try to show" or "aim to illustrate" can offer suitable substitutes depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to show

Replaces "attempt" with the more common verb "try" and "demonstrate" with the simpler "show".

seek to prove

Substitutes "attempt" with "seek", implying a deliberate effort, and "demonstrate" with "prove", indicating a stronger level of certainty.

aim to illustrate

Uses "aim" instead of "attempt", suggesting an intention, and replaces "demonstrate" with "illustrate", focusing on providing examples.

endeavor to establish

Replaces "attempt" with the more formal "endeavor" and "demonstrate" with "establish", suggesting a more rigorous approach.

strive to evidence

Employs "strive" to emphasize effort and "evidence" as a verb, highlighting the act of providing proof.

undertake to validate

Uses "undertake" to indicate a formal commitment and "validate" to signify confirmation of accuracy.

make an effort to prove

Expands the phrase to explicitly include "make an effort", emphasizing the exertion involved.

try to substantiate

Replaces "demonstrate" with "substantiate", focusing on supporting a claim with evidence.

set out to ascertain

Uses "set out" to describe an intention and "ascertain" to indicate the discovery of something with certainty.

work to verify

Suggests a sustained action ("work") with the goal of checking whether something is true or accurate ("verify").

FAQs

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

You can use "attempt to demonstrate" to introduce evidence or arguments that support a particular claim or hypothesis. For example: "In this study, we "attempt to demonstrate" the correlation between exercise and mental well-being."

What are some alternatives to "attempt to demonstrate"?

Alternatives include "try to show", "seek to prove", or "aim to illustrate", depending on the specific context and the strength of the evidence.

Is "attempt to demonstrate" formal or informal?

"Attempt to demonstrate" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase, suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts. Simpler alternatives might be preferable in informal settings.

What is the difference between "attempt to demonstrate" and "attempt to prove"?

While similar, "attempt to demonstrate" suggests showing or illustrating something, whereas "attempt to prove" implies a stronger effort to establish something as definitively true. The choice depends on the nature of the evidence and the desired level of certainty.