attempt to envision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempt to envision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of trying to imagine or visualize something, often in a creative or conceptual context. Example: "In order to solve the problem, we must attempt to envision the possible outcomes of our decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Whereas Carr's earlier novel vividly conjured old-time New York City, "Killing Time" makes virtually no attempt to envision the texture of life two decades from now.

The New York Times - Books

Quality of life The SDGs are also an attempt to envision what quality of life every human being should enjoy by 2030.

The Guardian

The final section of Charyn's novel reimagines parts of "The Painted Bird" as they might actually have taken place — a moving attempt to envision the real wartime traumas that led Kosinski to invent fake ones.

The New Yorker

Anatoly, 2014, Electrician's tools shown with a subtitled film lasting 47 minutes on an attempt to envision "Anatoly".

Huffington Post

In an attempt to envision "a probably future of jewelry," they've created NECLUMI, which they bill as "the first projection-based interactive necklace".

Vice

At the national level there has been no real attempt to envision the health system that Indonesia will need for the next 20 to 30 years or how the substantial public subsidy to this lightly regulated private system could be used in creative ways to stimulate innovation, mitigate market failures, improve equity and quality, and to enhance the performance of the system as a whole.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"Eventually I found that I was really writing choreography, attempting to envision beautiful and elaborate dances which also involved head-butts and flying kicks".

The New York Times

Scholem's interpretation of Kabbalah supplied exactly the sense of intellectual excitement and imaginative fecundity that had been lacking in my attempts to envision a life within the framework of my father's religion.

The New Yorker

According to Fred Kaplan's new book about Gen. David H. Petraeus and his attempt to re-envision American military strategy, the general had a philosophy about publicity.

The New York Times - Books

The Global Alliance for Urban Crises, which officially launches next week at the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, is an ambitious attempt to re-envision humanitarian responses in cities.

The Guardian

Organized projects, such as Morroblivion and Skywind, attempt to recreate the originally envisioned Morrowind province in later Elder Scrolls games.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attempt to envision" when you want to emphasize the effort or intention behind creating a mental image or concept, especially when dealing with abstract or future possibilities.

Common error

While "envision" is a valid word, simpler alternatives like "imagine" or "visualize" might be more appropriate in contexts where clarity is paramount. Overusing sophisticated vocabulary can sometimes obscure your message rather than enhance it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempt to envision" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It indicates the reason or goal behind an action, showing an effort to create a mental image or concept. As Ludwig suggests, it is used to imagine or visualize something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempt to envision" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express the act of trying to imagine or visualize something. Ludwig AI indicates that it is acceptable in written English. It's primarily found in news, media and scientific contexts, with a neutral to professional register. While not overly common, it effectively conveys the intention and effort behind creating a mental image, as opposed to merely envisioning. Alternative phrases, like "try to imagine" or "seek to visualize", can be used for simpler and equally effective communication. When using "attempt to envision", it's important to consider whether the emphasis on effort is necessary, or if a more direct term like "envision" would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to imagine

This alternative uses more common vocabulary but maintains the core meaning of making an effort to see something in one's mind.

seek to visualize

Replaces "attempt" with "seek" and "envision" with "visualize", emphasizing the intention and process of visualization.

aim to conceptualize

Focuses on forming a concept or idea, rather than just seeing it in the mind's eye.

strive to picture

This phrase suggests a strong effort to create a mental image.

endeavor to conceive

Implies a more intellectual effort to form an idea or understanding.

make an effort to visualize

More verbose, but explicitly states the action of making an effort.

try to foresee

Specifically focuses on envisioning future events or possibilities.

aim to foresee

Specifically focuses on envisioning future events or possibilities with the intention of predicting them.

seek to anticipate

Highlights the proactive aspect of trying to see something before it happens.

strive to anticipate

Highlights the proactive aspect of trying hard to see something before it happens.

FAQs

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

You can use "attempt to envision" when you want to describe the act of trying to imagine or visualize something, especially something that is not yet real or concrete. For example, "Scientists attempt to envision the long-term effects of climate change."

What are some alternatives to "attempt to envision"?

Some alternatives include "try to imagine", "seek to visualize", or "aim to conceptualize", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "attempt to envision" or simply "envision"?

Using "attempt to envision" emphasizes the effort or process of trying to form a mental picture. "Envision" alone suggests a more direct or successful act of visualization. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the striving aspect.

What's the difference between "attempt to envision" and "attempt to predict"?

"Attempt to envision" focuses on creating a mental image or concept, while "attempt to predict" focuses on foreseeing or forecasting future events. The former is about imagination, the latter about anticipation.