attempt to improve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempt to improve" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it anytime you need to express that someone is trying to make something better (or make an effort to make something better). For example: "The company made an attempt to improve customer service by offering free consultations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is simply an attempt to improve performance".

The New York Times - Science

Or a completely justified attempt to improve her children's grammar?

Independent

And whenever the US did attempt to improve accountability, the Afghan government resisted, the report says.

The Guardian

Any attempt to improve its image should be given a chance.

The Guardian - Business

Taylor's tilt at the men's game, meanwhile, is an ambitious attempt to improve her own cricket.

The Guardian - Sport

I suspect that free schools are an innovative attempt to improve educational opportunities for all.

The Guardian - Opinion

Another thing is that street retail was banned in an attempt to improve the city.

The Guardian

Some of the proposals would attempt to improve on longstanding ideas.

The New York Times

He strides ever-forward in his attempt to improve himself, and ultimately becomes a King.

Independent

1. VEGANS MUSCLE INTO BODYBUILDING For some, veganism is an attempt to improve health.

The New York Times

The attempt to improve the horse's focus only contributed to a wildly run race.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attempt to improve", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being improved and the goal of the improvement. Be specific for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "attempt to improve" without specifying what needs improvement. For example, instead of saying "They attempted to improve," specify "They attempted to improve the system's efficiency."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempt to improve" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It typically follows a main clause to indicate the reason or intention behind an action, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "attempt to improve" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey the intention to make something better. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability across diverse contexts. As seen in Ludwig's examples, the phrase appears prominently in news, scientific literature, and business communication. While versatile, clarity is key: always specify what you're trying to improve. Alternatives like "try to enhance" or "seek to better" offer nuanced variations, but "attempt to improve" remains a reliable and direct choice for expressing purposeful effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to enhance

Replaces "attempt" with "try" and "improve" with "enhance", slightly less formal.

seek to better

Uses "seek" instead of "attempt" and "better" instead of "improve", implying a more proactive approach.

endeavor to enhance

Substitutes "attempt" with the more formal "endeavor" and "improve" with "enhance".

strive to refine

Replaces "attempt" with "strive" suggesting a sustained effort, and "improve" with "refine" implying a focus on precision.

make an effort to ameliorate

Replaces "attempt" with "make an effort" and "improve" with "ameliorate", adding emphasis on the exertion made.

take steps to advance

Replaces "attempt" with "take steps" and "improve" with "advance", focusing on progress.

aim to optimize

Substitutes "attempt" with "aim" and "improve" with "optimize", implying a goal of achieving the best possible outcome.

work towards betterment

Replaces "attempt" with "work towards" and "improve" with "betterment", focusing on continuous progress.

undertake to perfect

Uses "undertake" instead of "attempt" and "perfect" instead of "improve", implying a commitment to reaching flawlessness.

take action to upgrade

Replaces "attempt" with "take action" and "improve" with "upgrade", suggesting a focus on modernizing or enhancing functionality.

FAQs

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

You can use "attempt to improve" to describe actions taken to enhance something. For example, "The company made an attempt to improve its customer service." or "The scientist is making an attempt to improve the efficiency of solar panels".

What are some alternatives to "attempt to improve"?

Some alternatives include "try to enhance", "seek to better", or "strive to refine", depending on the desired nuance and formality.

Is it better to use "try to improve" or "attempt to improve"?

"Attempt to improve" and "try to improve" are often interchangeable, but "attempt" can suggest a more formal or deliberate effort than "try".

What is the difference between "attempt to improve" and "succeed in improving"?

"Attempt to improve" indicates an effort made, regardless of the outcome, whereas "succeed in improving" implies that the effort was successful in making a positive change.