attempt to do something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempt to do something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an effort or endeavor to achieve a specific action or goal. Example: "Despite the challenges, she made a sincere attempt to do something meaningful for the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They learn when they attempt to do something and fail.

The New York Times - Tech

It was just an attempt to do something good.

The New York Times - Sports

But it was worth the attempt to do something original.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It was an innovative and expansive attempt to do something new with online sports coverage.

The Guardian - Sport

"Here there is no attempt to do something visually clever, just to make it a home".

The New York Times

"The populist mentality can defeat the attempt to do something more singular," Mr. Mendel said, "and the attempt to do something singular can make it inaccessible".

The New York Times

The attempt to do something brave and new is applauded rather than the results.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

It sounded like one of his attempts to do something.

The Guardian

I think I attempted to do something similar here and wasn't able to do that.

The Guardian - Books

No, it was that X Factor finally woke up and attempted to do something current.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Now you're going into the realm of attempting to do something that's never been done before.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attempt to do something", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific action being attempted. For example, instead of saying "They attempted to do something about the problem", specify what they attempted: "They attempted to implement new policies to address the problem."

Common error

Avoid using "attempt to do something" without specifying the 'something'. Vague language can weaken your writing. Instead of "He attempted to do something", be specific: "He attempted to fix the broken machine."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempt to do something" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an effort or endeavor towards a specific action. It describes the act of trying to achieve a particular outcome, highlighting the intention and effort involved as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "attempt to do something" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of making an effort toward a particular goal. It is frequently used in news and media contexts. As Ludwig highlights, it is essential to specify the action being attempted to avoid vagueness and enhance clarity in your writing. While the phrase is generally considered neutral, more formal alternatives exist. According to Ludwig AI, it is essential to specify the action being attempted to avoid vagueness and improve clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to achieve something

Replaces "attempt" with "try" and "do" with "achieve", emphasizing the goal-oriented aspect.

make an effort to act

Substitutes "attempt" with "make an effort" and replaces "do something" with "act", focusing on the exertion of effort.

endeavor to accomplish something

Uses more formal vocabulary, replacing "attempt" with "endeavor" and "do" with "accomplish".

seek to perform an action

Replaces "attempt" with "seek" and "do something" with "perform an action", highlighting the intention behind the effort.

undertake to execute a task

Employs formal language, replacing "attempt" with "undertake" and "do something" with "execute a task".

take steps to realize something

Focuses on the process, replacing "attempt" with "take steps" and "do" with "realize".

aim to bring about a change

Highlights the intended outcome, substituting "attempt" with "aim" and "do something" with "bring about a change".

strive to create an effect

Emphasizes the effort and the desired result, replacing "attempt" with "strive" and "do something" with "create an effect".

venture to initiate action

Uses stronger language, suggesting a risk or boldness in attempting something; replaces "attempt" with "venture" and "do something" with "initiate action".

try to make a move

Colloquial substitute of the requested sentence. Replaces "attempt" with "try" and changes "do something" to the more informal "make a move".

FAQs

How can I use "attempt to do something" in a sentence?

You can use "attempt to do something" to describe an effort made towards a specific goal. For instance, "She made an attempt to do something meaningful for the community."

What can I say instead of "attempt to do something"?

You can use alternatives like "try to achieve something", "make an effort to act", or "endeavor to accomplish something" depending on the context.

Is "attempt to do something" formal or informal?

The phrase "attempt to do something" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives exist, such as "undertake to execute a task".

What is the difference between "attempt to do something" and "try to do something"?

While both phrases convey the idea of making an effort, "attempt to do something" often implies a more formal or significant undertaking compared to the more casual "try to do something".