attempt to persuade

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempt to persuade" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of trying to convince someone to agree with a particular viewpoint or take a certain action. Example: In his speech, the politician made a strong attempt to persuade the audience to vote for his political party in the upcoming election.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They attempt to persuade weaker candidates to leave the race.

Princeton University

Any attempt to persuade another side to agree to your demands is advocacy.

Harvard University

But Scaring's exhaustion kept interfering with his attempt to persuade the jury to acquit Borukhova.

The New Yorker

Another attempt to persuade California to revoke Unocal's charter is under way.

The Economist

Mr. Issa made a second attempt to persuade her to change her mind.

The New York Times

Some of them defy every attempt to persuade them to get a move on.

Independent

Nevertheless, Jackson was surprised when Jerry Buss made no attempt to persuade him to stay.

The New York Times - Sports

We can argue and attempt to persuade, we can object and strive to block any proposal.

The New York Times

There's very little attempt to persuade visitors with even spurious scientific argument.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr Sigfusson appeared to rule out a third attempt to persuade voters to accept a repayment deal.

BBC

"I heard people will discuss the candidates and attempt to persuade others".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attempt to persuade", consider the tone and context. It implies a deliberate effort, so ensure it aligns with the overall message you want to convey.

Common error

Avoid implying guaranteed success when describing an "attempt to persuade". The phrase itself acknowledges the possibility of failure, so maintain a neutral or cautiously optimistic tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempt to persuade" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action taken with the intention of influencing someone's beliefs or actions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Examples show it used in various contexts from news reports to academic discussions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "attempt to persuade" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that describes the action of trying to convince someone. Ludwig AI confirms this. With a neutral register and frequent occurrence in news, academic, and encyclopedia sources, it serves the purpose of highlighting efforts made to influence others. While interchangeable with alternatives like "try to convince", "attempt to persuade" often carries a slightly more formal tone. Remember that using "attempt to persuade" acknowledges the possibility of failure, so avoid implying guaranteed success. It's important to consider the context and tone to ensure it aligns with the overall message you are trying to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make an effort to convince

Expresses a concrete action taken to change someone's mind.

try to convince

Focuses more on changing someone's belief, less formal.

seek to influence

Emphasizes affecting someone's actions or decisions.

aim to influence

Highlights the goal-oriented nature of the persuasive effort.

undertake to sway

Implies a deliberate and often subtle effort to change someone's opinion.

try to win over

Focuses on gaining someone's support or affection through persuasion.

endeavor to convert

Suggests an effort to change someone's allegiance or belief system.

take steps to influence

Implies a series of actions taken to affect someone's opinion or behavior.

strive to advocate

Suggests active and public support to encourage others.

work to bring around

Suggests gradual persuasion over time.

FAQs

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

You can use "attempt to persuade" to describe someone trying to convince another person. For example, "The lawyer made an "attempt to persuade" the jury of his client's innocence."

What are some alternatives to "attempt to persuade"?

Alternatives include "try to convince", "seek to influence", or "endeavor to convert", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "attempt to persuade" or "try to persuade"?

"Attempt to persuade" and "try to persuade" are largely interchangeable, but "attempt to persuade" can sound slightly more formal or deliberate.

What's the difference between "attempt to persuade" and "succeed in persuading"?

"Attempt to persuade" implies an effort made, regardless of the outcome, whereas "succeed in persuading" indicates that the effort was successful.