attempt to exceed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempt to exceed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing efforts to surpass a certain limit, standard, or expectation. Example: "In his latest project, he made an attempt to exceed the previous benchmarks set by the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Where does humanity attempt to exceed itself?

Independent

A problem in this attempt to exceed the gross-out factor of any previous Hollywood comedy is the density of the humor, which arrives in a relentless torrent.

The New York Times

I want to warn that any attempt to exceed the limits of the law, and Russia's Constitution, will be decisively crushed.

The New York Times

In some cases, commonplace behaviors like managing cookies, changing browser headers, using VPNs, and even protecting one's mobile phone from being identified could be construed as an attempt to exceed authorized access to content.

Harvard University

An attempt to exceed these narrow limits called forth the enduring judgment of Lord Camden, in Entick v. Carrington, 19 Howell's State Trials, 1029, in favor of freedom against police intrusions.

Cornell University

Holiday Hint: In every interaction this holiday, remember that healthy, happy marriages, according to John Gottman, usually have a "magic" 5 1 ratio of positive to negative interactions -- so why not attempt to exceed that standard in all your relationships?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Attempting to exceed his last film, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Apatow has set out to do for sacred cows what Buffalo Bill did for the North American bison and there are jokes about everything from the physical condition of Stephen Hawking to the problems of having sex during pregnancy.

The Guardian - Film

"The ECB attempted to exceed market expectations with a strong set of non-conventional monetary policy measures but then disappointed the market on forward guidance around further interest rate reductions – effectively suggesting that interest rates had reached their nadir," said Marilyn Watson at fund manager BlackRock.

The Guardian - Business

Most attempts to exceed the absolute limits occurred with two drugs: fentanyl and midazolam; consequently, their protocols will have to be reviewed in order to identify why there is a tendency to program an excessive dose.

BMC Pediatrics

The months in which most alarms were detected due to attempts to exceed the relative and absolute limits in the programming of intravenous medication were January and February 2014, twice as many as in the other months of the year.

BMC Pediatrics

Many of these threads converge with the petition's analogy to Boreali v. Axelrod (1987), which struck down an attempt by the New York State Public Health Council to exceed its legislative powers by instituting a tobacco policy, itself struck down by the state legislature.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attempt to exceed" when you want to express the intention of going beyond a certain limit or expectation. It is especially effective when discussing goals, performance targets, or setting new standards.

Common error

While "attempt to exceed" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in formal writing. Over-reliance can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, diversify your language by using alternatives like "strive to surpass" or "endeavor to excel" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempt to exceed" functions primarily as an infinitive phrase, indicating a purpose or intention. Ludwig AI confirms it's a usable phrase in written English. It describes the reason or goal behind an action, often used to express aspiration or ambition.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempt to exceed" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, typically employed to express the intention of surpassing a limit or expectation. According to Ludwig AI, it's appropriate for various contexts. While versatile, it is more common in news and scientific articles. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "strive to surpass" or "aim to outdo" to add nuance to your writing. When using "attempt to exceed", be mindful of overuse, particularly in formal contexts, to maintain a professional and engaging tone. Ensure the phrase aligns with the overall formality and intended audience of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strive to surpass

Focuses on dedicated effort toward surpassing a goal, emphasizing commitment.

try to transcend

Implies going beyond limitations, suggesting a higher level of achievement.

aim to outdo

Highlights the competitive aspect of exceeding, with a focus on surpassing others.

seek to better

Emphasizes improvement and enhancement, indicating a desire to exceed current standards.

endeavor to excel

Suggests a determined effort to perform exceptionally well, aiming for superior results.

aspire to eclipse

Indicates a strong desire to overshadow or surpass, implying a significant difference in achievement.

work to overcome

Focuses on overcoming challenges to exceed current limitations, highlighting resilience.

push to outperform

Emphasizes continuous effort to achieve better results than before, suggesting ongoing improvement.

struggle to transcend

Highlights the difficulty and effort involved in going beyond existing boundaries.

undertake to beat

Suggests a deliberate action to surpass a target or competitor, implying a strategic approach.

FAQs

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

You can use "attempt to exceed" to describe an effort to go beyond a set limit or expectation. For example, "The company made an attempt to exceed its previous sales targets".

What are some alternatives to "attempt to exceed"?

Some alternatives include "strive to surpass", "aim to outdo", or "seek to better", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "attempt to exceed" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "attempt to exceed" in both formal and informal contexts when discussing efforts to surpass limits or expectations. However, ensure the tone aligns with your overall writing style and audience.

Is there a difference between "attempt to exceed" and "try to exceed"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "attempt to exceed" might suggest a more formal or deliberate effort compared to "try to exceed". The choice depends on the level of formality and precision you need in your writing.