attempt to place

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempt to place" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an effort to position or situate something in a particular location or context. Example: "The team will attempt to place the new equipment in the designated area by the end of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

DAY 18 Attempt to place a "top hat" over the spewing well fails.

Independent

The civil-service law was a belated attempt to place limits on the government's wage bill.

The Economist

Mr. Diamond's attempt to place banking in a broader social context is welcome — and overdue.

The New York Times

"Critical writing used to attempt to place me by othering me, by putting me outside the history of jazz.

The New Yorker

The alliance, he pledged, would fight any attempt to place an initiative for background checks on the state ballot.

The New York Times

The Greek government will attempt to place all refugee children in some kind of education this autumn.

The Guardian

Although his theories on publicity are interesting, Walker's apples-and-oranges argument is a blatant attempt to place a scientific basis behind his theories on the Gap's logo.

The New York Times - Magazine

This wasn't the only way the government fell a little short in its attempt to place a sinister cast on the cheery routines at this Merrill Lynch branch.

The New Yorker

The words "center of gravity" came to me, secondhand track-and-field lingo from my vain attempt to place out of P.E. that spring.

The New Yorker

A few new books attempt to place the dying in the right context: What did people of the time make of all that dying?

The New Yorker

The city's policy still seems to be to attempt to place people in jobs, but there are very few jobs to go around".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attempt to place", consider the level of formality required; synonyms like "try to position" might be more appropriate in informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "attempt to place" in overly passive constructions. Instead of "An attempt was made to place...", prefer "They attempted to place...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempt to place" functions as an infinitive phrase indicating an effort or endeavor to position something in a specific location or context. This is supported by Ludwig, which identifies the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "attempt to place" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the act of trying to position something. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in various contexts. Its usage spans across different domains like News & Media and Scientific articles, with a neutral register. When writing, consider the formality of the situation and choose synonyms like "try to position" for less formal scenarios. Be mindful of passive voice constructions to maintain clarity. The phrase is versatile and applicable in numerous situations where an effort to position or situate something is described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to position

Focuses on the act of positioning with effort.

seek to position

Emphasizes the intention or goal of positioning.

try to situate

Implies trying to situate something in a specific context.

aim to situate

Highlights the act of finding a suitable situation or context.

endeavor to put

Implies a more formal or earnest effort to put something in a specific location.

set out to position

Indicates a deliberate beginning of an action to position.

strive to set

Suggests a determined effort to set something in a particular spot.

make an effort to locate

Focuses on the effort involved in locating something.

undertake to situate

Implies a formal undertaking to situate something.

venture to set

Suggests a risky or bold move to set something.

FAQs

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

You can use "attempt to place" to describe an effort to position something, such as "The engineers will attempt to place the satellite into orbit" or "The museum is making an attempt to place the artifact in its historical context".

What are some alternatives to "attempt to place"?

You can use alternatives like "try to position", "seek to position", or "aim to situate" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "attempt to place" and "try to place"?

While similar, "attempt to place" might suggest a more formal or deliberate effort compared to "try to place", which can be more casual. The best choice depends on the context and desired tone.

When is it appropriate to use "attempt to place" in formal writing?

"Attempt to place" is suitable for formal writing when you need to describe a deliberate effort to position something, especially when the outcome is uncertain. For instance, "The study will attempt to place the findings within the existing body of research".