attempt to draw

USAGE SUMMARY

"attempt to draw" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe someone's effort or intention to create a drawing. Here is an example: "After taking a few art classes, I made an attempt to draw a portrait of my dog. It wasn't perfect, but I was proud of my effort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

There is, however, relatively little attempt to draw parallels between western and eastern thought.

The Economist

"The only real attempt to draw one was in 1997, and that was struck down.

The New York Times - Health

Any attempt to draw me in served only to push me further away.

Independent

Some built museums and arts centres in an attempt to draw tourists, though this rarely worked.

The Economist

I have no idea, but I go ahead and attempt to draw it anyway.

The New Yorker

Worse, the attempt to draw workers back to shrinking cities is misconceived.

The Economist

There could be no wiser move than Klopp's attempt to draw him back.

Independent

Each was deemed guilty of embellishing contact in an attempt to draw a foul.

The New York Times - Sports

It appears Lawson did attempt to draw people he didn't know – Roderick just didn't see them.

The Guardian

It was an attempt to draw public and media attention, of course.

The New York Times

But Freedland's attempt to draw some political lessons for Britain only tells half the story.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attempt to draw" when you want to emphasize the effort or intention behind creating a drawing, even if the result is not perfect.

Common error

While "attempt to draw" is generally acceptable, in highly formal or academic writing, consider more precise verbs like "illustrate", "depict", or "render" to convey the specific type of drawing being undertaken.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempt to draw" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating an action that someone is trying to perform. It often serves to introduce or describe an effort to create a visual representation, even if the success of that effort is uncertain. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempt to draw" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of trying to create a drawing. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its versatility allows it to appear in various contexts, from News & Media to Science, though it is less frequent in formal business settings. The phrase's function is primarily to describe an action or intention, and its register is generally neutral, making it appropriate for diverse audiences. The many examples in Ludwig highlight its broad applicability. When using "attempt to draw", remember to consider the specific nuance you want to convey and choose more precise verbs if the context demands greater formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to illustrate

Focuses on the effort to visually explain or represent something.

make an effort to sketch

Emphasizes the initial and often quick nature of the drawing attempt.

endeavor to depict

Suggests a more formal and ambitious approach to creating a visual representation.

aim to delineate

Highlights the intent to clearly define or outline something in the drawing.

seek to portray

Indicates an attempt to capture the essence or likeness of something through drawing.

undertake to render

Implies a commitment to create a detailed and skillful drawing.

venture to outline

Suggests a bold or risky attempt to create a basic representation.

strive to capture

Focuses on the effort to accurately represent a subject through drawing.

take steps to draft

Emphasizes the preliminary nature of creating a rough version of a drawing.

try to create an image

A more general way of describing the act of making a drawing.

FAQs

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

You can use "attempt to draw" to describe an effort made to create a drawing, as in "She made an attempt to draw a realistic portrait".

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

Alternatives include "try to illustrate", "make an effort to sketch", or "endeavor to depict" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "made an attempt at drawing" instead of "attempt to draw"?

Yes, "made an attempt at drawing" is also correct, though it uses a slightly different grammatical structure. The meaning remains largely the same.

Which is correct, "attempt to draw" or "attempt of drawing"?

"Attempt to draw" is generally preferred when followed by a verb. "Attempt of drawing" is grammatically correct when "drawing" is used as a noun, but it's less common. You can also use "attempt at drawing".