attempt to do this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempt to do this" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing an effort or endeavor to accomplish a specific task or action. Example: "I will attempt to do this by following the steps outlined in the manual."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Brazil's flawed attempt to do this is a step forward.

The Economist

That was not the first attempt to do this.

The New York Times

But only one attempt to do this has actually worked.

The Guardian - Tech

"The land will slowly move in an attempt to do this.

The New York Times

Because such discussions are often conflated with rationing, any attempt to do this is a political nonstarter.

The New Yorker

One attempt to do this is Comic School, a joint initiative between DC Thomson and the city's universities.

The Guardian

At the same time, it's hard to know what to expect– in a previous attempt to do this in Mechanical Turk.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The first attempt to do this was made more recently than those at continuously variable transmission and suspension in the mid-1980s, by General Motors.

The Economist

I would not be able to do this with another horse; I think it is a credit to this horse that we can even attempt to do this.

The New York Times

"I'll attempt to do this in as short a way as possible, because it's quite complicated," chuckles bassist/vocalist Graham Lewis.

The Guardian

"We'd never attempt to do this if we didn't have the blessing of independent privacy authorities," said Mr. Sullivan of Expedia.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attempt to do this", ensure the context clearly defines what "this" refers to. A vague reference can confuse the reader. For example, instead of saying 'The company will attempt to do this', specify 'The company will attempt to increase sales by 10%.'

Common error

While grammatically sound, excessive use of "attempt to do this" can make writing seem repetitive. Vary your phrasing with alternatives like "try", "endeavor", or more specific action verbs to enhance readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempt to do this" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing an intention or effort to perform a specific action. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It often follows a main clause, indicating the purpose or goal behind an action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

33%

Wiki

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempt to do this" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express the intention or effort to perform a specific action. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans a wide range of contexts, from news and media to scientific research and general instructions on wikis. While versatile, it's essential to ensure clarity regarding what "this" refers to and to vary phrasing in formal writing to avoid redundancy. Consider alternatives like "try", "endeavor", or more descriptive action verbs to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to achieve this

Replaces "attempt" with "try" and "do" with "achieve", focusing on the goal-oriented nature of the action.

make an effort to accomplish this

Emphasizes the exertion of effort in completing the specified task.

undertake this task

Replaces the whole phrase with a more formal and concise expression.

set out to achieve this

Highlights the initiation and purpose of aiming for a specific result.

endeavor to complete this

Uses a more formal term, "endeavor", to indicate a serious effort to finish the task.

strive to perform this action

Focuses on the exertion of considerable effort to carry out the action.

seek to accomplish this goal

Highlights the pursuit of a defined target or objective.

take steps to realize this

Emphasizes taking specific actions to bring something to fruition.

aim to execute this plan

Highlights the intention to implement a defined procedure or strategy.

venture to undertake this

Implies a willingness to take risks or face challenges to start something.

FAQs

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

You can use "attempt to do this" to express an effort or intention to accomplish something. For example, "Scientists will attempt to do this experiment again", or "I will attempt to do this task to the best of my abilities".

What are some alternatives to "attempt to do this"?

You can use alternatives like "try to achieve this", "make an effort to accomplish this", or "undertake this task" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "try to do this" or "attempt to do this"?

Both "try to do this" and "attempt to do this" are correct. "Attempt" is generally considered more formal than "try", so the best choice depends on the context and desired tone.

What does "attempt to do this" imply?

"Attempt to do this" implies an effort or intention to perform a specific action, often with the understanding that success is not guaranteed. It suggests a deliberate effort despite potential challenges.