attempt to find

USAGE SUMMARY

"attempt to find" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of trying to locate something. Example sentence: She attempted to find an open store where she could buy groceries late at night.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My attempt to find work was halfhearted.

The New York Times

Another failed attempt to find work.

The New York Times

They should expect an honest attempt to find some.

The Economist

An attempt to find a boundary between reality and exaltation?

The New Yorker

But the attempt to find wedge issues remains.

The New York Times

I would attempt to find a safe haven," Snowden said.

The Guardian

"His attempt to find solitude was futile,"' Blaine reads.

The New York Times - Magazine

There was no attempt to find out the full story.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Purcell's attempt to find out makes for a terrific read.

The Guardian

Franklin's final attempt to find the passage failed.

The New York Times - Books

It was, he conceded, an attempt to find distraction.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attempt to find", ensure the context clearly indicates a deliberate effort to locate something, not just accidental discovery. For instance, "The researchers attempted to find a cure for the disease" highlights a focused research effort.

Common error

Avoid using "attempt to find" when a simpler verb like "search", "look for", or "try" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or convoluted in everyday contexts. For example, instead of saying "I attempted to find my keys", you can simply say "I looked for my keys".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempt to find" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It describes the intent or goal behind an action. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and readily usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempt to find" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase expressing the intention to locate or discover something. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and general writing. While versatile, it's best to avoid overusing it in favor of simpler alternatives like "look for" or "search for" in casual settings. The phrase's authoritative usage across reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability. Remember to employ it strategically to convey deliberate effort and intention in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to locate

Replaces "attempt" with the more direct "try" and uses "locate" as a synonym for "find".

seek to discover

Emphasizes the intention to uncover something, using "seek" and "discover" instead of "attempt" and "find".

endeavor to uncover

Uses more formal synonyms "endeavor" and "uncover" to express a similar meaning.

aim to identify

Focuses on the goal of pinpointing something, substituting "aim" for "attempt" and "identify" for "find".

strive to ascertain

Employs formal language, with "strive" replacing "attempt" and "ascertain" replacing "find", emphasizing the effort involved.

make an effort to detect

Highlights the exertion involved, using "make an effort" and "detect" to convey a similar concept.

search for

A more concise alternative, replacing the entire phrase with a simple verb and preposition.

work towards discovering

Emphasizes the ongoing process of discovery, using "work towards" and "discovering".

explore possibilities to determine

Focuses on investigating options to reach a conclusion.

undertake a quest to reveal

Uses more dramatic language, replacing "attempt" with "undertake a quest" and "find" with "reveal".

FAQs

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

Use "attempt to find" to describe a deliberate effort to locate something. For example, "The detective attempted to find clues at the crime scene" indicates a conscious effort to uncover evidence.

What are some alternatives to "attempt to find"?

You can use alternatives like "try to locate", "seek to discover", or "endeavor to uncover" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "attempt to find" instead of "try to find"?

"Attempt to find" is more formal and suggests a greater degree of effort or a more complex task than "try to find". Use "attempt to find" when you want to emphasize the seriousness or difficulty of the search.

Is "attempt to find" always the best choice, or are there situations where a simpler phrase is better?

While "attempt to find" is grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound overly formal. In casual contexts, simpler phrases like "look for" or "search for" may be more appropriate.