attempt to observe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempt to observe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an effort to notice or perceive something, often in a scientific or observational context. Example: "In the experiment, we will attempt to observe the behavior of the subjects under different conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

At that point it may be brighter, perhaps much brighter, than Venus, though to attempt to observe it without stringent precautions would be foolish.

The Guardian

He said that on Sundays he and Rand often visited different churches in an attempt "to observe how people practice their spirituality," and frequently debated "individuals who very literally interpret the Bible, who question many scientific theories".

The New Yorker

The third prolonged test was in attempt to observe optimal removal rates as cited in some of the previous similar work done in other countries, where optimal removal was reported at approximately 21 days.

Nature

"Out of respect for the tradition of the game, the magnitude of the record and the fact that all citizens in this country are innocent until proven guilty," said Selig in a statement, "either I or a representative of my office will attend the next few games and make every attempt to observe the breaking of the record".

The Guardian - Sport

Psychologists believe that cognitive development, including the development of language, takes place as a child learns to focus attention on those stimuli, and many of Lew-Williams' tests attempt to observe and measure attention, which he believes can in turn open a window into what infants know about sounds, words, and sentences.

Princeton University

In an attempt to observe the surface morphology of the nanoparticles, the FESEM study was performed.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Attempts to observe Madonna were countered by Ms. Spiegel, who blocked our view with her own body.

The New York Times

Instead, astronomers concentrated on attempting to observe them indirectly through the gravitational effects they exert on their parent stars.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For years Albert Hazen Wright and Anna Allen Wright traveled extensively, attempting to observe every species of snake in North America in its natural surroundings and collecting data and live specimens.

Cornell University

The constraint that only colourless objects can appear in nature seems to limit attempts to observe single quarks and free gluons.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The published studies examined the impact of different noise filtration strategies on the functional connectivity analyses, but there were no attempts to observe the influence of the noise filtration on PPIs.

Clinical Neurophysiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing scientifically, prefer "attempt to observe" over simpler alternatives like "try to see" for a more formal and precise tone.

Common error

In casual writing, avoid consistently using "attempt to observe" when simpler alternatives like "try to see" or "try to notice" would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound stilted or overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempt to observe" functions primarily as an infinitive phrase indicating a purpose or intention. It combines a noun ("attempt") with an infinitive verb ("to observe"), specifying the goal of the action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

20%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempt to observe" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that conveys the intention or effort to perceive or notice something. As Ludwig AI points out, it is well-suited for formal and scientific contexts, where careful observation is essential. While versatile, it's crucial to consider simpler alternatives like "try to see" in more casual settings to avoid sounding overly formal. The phrase finds frequent application across science, news media, and academia, with notable sources like Nature and The Guardian showcasing its appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to perceive

Replaces "attempt" with "try" and "observe" with "perceive", emphasizing the effort to become aware of something.

seek to notice

Uses "seek" instead of "attempt" and "notice" instead of "observe", suggesting a deliberate effort to become aware.

aim to discern

Employs "aim" and "discern", highlighting the goal of distinguishing or recognizing something clearly.

endeavor to detect

Substitutes "attempt" with "endeavor" and "observe" with "detect", focusing on the effort to discover or identify something.

strive to witness

Uses "strive" and "witness", emphasizing the effort to be present and observe an event or phenomenon.

make an effort to see

Expresses the phrase more explicitly, highlighting the deliberate exertion to visually perceive something.

try to spot

Replaces "observe" with "spot", indicating an effort to locate or identify something quickly.

undertake to monitor

Uses "undertake" and "monitor", suggesting a formal or systematic effort to observe something over time.

set out to view

Employs "set out" and "view", emphasizing the intention to observe something visually.

take steps to watch

Uses "take steps" and "watch", highlighting the proactive measures taken to observe something carefully.

FAQs

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

You can use "attempt to observe" to describe a deliberate effort to notice or perceive something, often in a scientific or formal context. For example, "Scientists will attempt to observe the effects of the new drug".

What are some alternatives to "attempt to observe"?

You can use alternatives like "try to perceive", "seek to notice", or "aim to discern" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "attempt to observe" or "try to see"?

"Attempt to observe" is generally more formal than "try to see". The former is often used in scientific or academic writing, while the latter is appropriate for more casual contexts.

Which is correct, "attempt to observe" or "attempt at observing"?

Both phrases can be grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Attempt to observe" suggests an intention to perform the act of observing, while "attempt at observing" suggests an attempt at the process of observing. The former is more common.