attempt to determine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempt to determine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing efforts to find out or establish something, often in a formal or analytical context. Example: "The researchers will attempt to determine the cause of the phenomenon through extensive testing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Hernandez will have tests in an attempt to determine the source of his back spasms...

The New York Times - Sports

Republicans attempt to determine if they can coax Eminem to come out for Mr. Gore.

The New York Times

Any attempt to determine the relationships of monotremes must take into account these primitive retentions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Any attempt to determine identity in this way is bound to fail.

Independent

More tests will now be carried out in an attempt to determine how the 56-year-old star died.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In an attempt to determine the relative influence of environmental factors upon dormancy, they have been varied experimentally.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We attempt to determine the factors that influence these inefficiencies.

Journal of Economic Structures

Feature selection techniques attempt to determine appropriate features that can discriminate well between classes.

Journal of Cheminformatics

In sequence recognition, we attempt to determine a sequence of events from a sequence of observations.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

Unfortunately, most MOOC video studies made no attempt to determine whether students learned from the videos.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

This is the first attempt to determine the optimal vector to express MCO.

Bioresources and Bioprocessing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attempt to determine", ensure the context clearly indicates the method or criteria being used in the determination process. Adding specifics can strengthen clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "attempt to determine" when the outcome is already known or highly predictable. This phrase implies uncertainty and a genuine investigative effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempt to determine" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used to express the purpose or intention behind an action. It describes the act of trying to find something out or establish something definitively. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "attempt to determine" is a grammatically sound and frequently used infinitive phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It signifies an intentional effort to find something out or resolve uncertainty. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related contexts, its formality ranges from neutral to slightly formal, suitable for professional communication. When employing "attempt to determine", ensuring contextual clarity is key. Ludwig's examples and analyses reinforce its role in expressing investigative intent across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to ascertain

Replaces "attempt" with "try" and "determine" with "ascertain", making it slightly more formal.

seek to identify

Emphasizes the active search for identification rather than a general determination.

aim to discover

Focuses on finding something new or previously unknown.

undertake to find out

Indicates a formal commitment to investigate and reveal information.

endeavor to learn

Implies a serious and sustained effort to gain knowledge.

strive to resolve

Suggests effort towards clarifying or solving a specific issue.

make an effort to discern

Highlights the exertion involved in distinguishing something clearly.

work to establish

Focuses on confirming or proving a particular fact or concept.

set out to prove

Emphasizes proving the validity of some concept or idea.

look to investigate

Implies a forward-looking approach to explore the subject at hand.

FAQs

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

Use "attempt to determine" when you want to express that someone is trying to find out or establish something, but the outcome is uncertain. For example, "Scientists will attempt to determine the effects of the new drug."

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

You can use alternatives like "try to ascertain", "seek to identify", or "aim to discover" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "attempt to determine" or "try and determine"?

"Attempt to determine" is generally considered more formal and grammatically correct. "Try and determine" is more informal, but acceptable in casual conversation.

What's the difference between "attempt to determine" and "attempt to influence"?

"Attempt to determine" implies an effort to find something out, while "attempt to influence" implies an effort to affect something. The first seeks knowledge, the second seeks to create a change.