attempt to pinpoint

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempt to pinpoint" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing efforts to identify or locate something specific, whether it's a problem, a location, or a detail. Example: "The researchers made an attempt to pinpoint the source of the contamination in the water supply."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"I had a Greek journalist attempt to pinpoint my references.

The New Yorker

What is modern art but the attempt to pinpoint vague, incorporeal, inexpressible sensations?

The New Yorker

Hit the road!" came one radio call, directing mortar fire in an attempt to pinpoint the Eastern Shura soldiers.

The New York Times

They have been speaking with her relatives, professors and friends and scouring footage from more than 70 surveillance cameras in an attempt to pinpoint her movements.

The New York Times

A few months later, Chomsky agreed to collaborate with Fitch and Hauser on a paper that would attempt to pinpoint the features of language which are unique to humans and which allowed Homo sapiens to develop language.

The New Yorker

The mysterious illness among populations in the Pacific Island of Guam which is similar to Parkinson's, motor neurone disease and Alzheimer's prompted researchers to attempt to pinpoint a potential environmental cause.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Similarly, other machines at Davis Cavern, South Dakota, also exploit xenon in their attempts to pinpoint the universe's missing mass.

The Guardian

It was a perfect fit with Assembly's clothes, which are attempting to pinpoint new intersections of structure and comfort.

The New York Times

Attempts to pinpoint the K T boundary event, even by using the best radiometric dating techniques, result in a margin of error on the order of 50,000 years.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Numerous tabloid journalists, coaches, experts and Gareth Southgate were grilled throughout the morning attempting to pinpoint why our youngsters had failed.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

There is also a particularly controversial police-led initiative known as Channel which attempts to pinpoint young Muslims who may be on their way towards violent radicalism and turn them away.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attempt to pinpoint" when you want to emphasize the effort made to find a specific detail or location with precision. It suggests a deliberate and focused approach to identification.

Common error

Avoid using "attempt to pinpoint" in very casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "try to find" or "try to identify" are more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempt to pinpoint" functions as a verb phrase. It indicates an action directed towards identifying something precisely. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's used to describe deliberate efforts to locate specific information or sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

48%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "attempt to pinpoint" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that denotes a focused effort to identify or locate something with precision. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific writing. While versatile, it's important to consider the level of formality, opting for simpler alternatives in casual settings. The phrase's consistent usage across authoritative sources underscores its reliability and effectiveness in conveying the intent to accurately identify or locate a specific detail.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to identify

Focuses on the act of identifying rather than precisely locating.

make an effort to locate

Highlights the effort involved in finding something.

seek to determine

Emphasizes the process of finding something out.

aim to ascertain

Focuses on confirming or establishing something definitively.

strive to identify

Stresses the effort and determination in identifying.

undertake to specify

Highlights a formal commitment to defining something precisely.

endeavor to detect

Focuses on the effort to discover or notice something.

work to establish

Highlights the activity to find an outcome.

move to discern

Emphasizes the progress on discovering something.

plan to discover

Focuses on the intent to find or reveal something.

FAQs

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

You can use "attempt to pinpoint" to describe efforts to identify something specific. For example, "Researchers are using new methods in an attempt to pinpoint the causes of the disease."

What are some alternatives to "attempt to pinpoint"?

Some alternatives include "try to identify", "make an effort to locate", or "seek to determine" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "attempt to pinpoint" or "try to pinpoint"?

"Attempt to pinpoint" is slightly more formal and emphasizes the seriousness of the effort, while "try to pinpoint" is more casual. Both are grammatically correct, so the best choice depends on the tone you want to convey.

What's the difference between "attempt to pinpoint" and "attempt to identify"?

"Attempt to pinpoint" suggests a focus on finding something with precision, often a specific location or detail. "Attempt to identify", on the other hand, is broader and can refer to recognizing or categorizing something without necessarily finding its exact location. For example, "The detective attempted to identify the suspect /s/attempt+to+identify" but also "The cartographers attempted to pinpoint the location of the hidden city /s/attempt+to+pinpoint".