attempt to relate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempt to relate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing efforts to connect or communicate a particular idea, experience, or concept to someone else. Example: "In her essay, she makes an attempt to relate her personal experiences to the broader themes of the novel."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Evolutionary psychology is the attempt to relate human behaviors to the purposes for which they evolved.

The New York Times

But Johnson makes no attempt to relate childhood experiences to his later political development, and rightly so.

The Guardian - Books

The new Big Brother album, Cheap Thrills, sounds as if Janis is putting herself on, simply because she makes no serious attempt to relate herself to the band.

The Guardian

Again, this is an attempt to relate the message that all human beings are essentially the same, which would work if the transformations didn't look utterly alien.

The Guardian - Film

In an attempt to relate, to connect, this being tries on a bewildering, and depressing, variety of the roles available to it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Here is not merely a collection of various dances but a conscious attempt to relate movements tonally and thereby create larger hierarchic units.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The zoo is a kind of fantasy world: a miniature Earth that we haven't already wrecked, in which we attempt to relate to animals on terms that aren't evidently compromised by fear, loss and displacement.

The Guardian - Opinion

Regrettably, she misses the 2014 revolution, owing to graduate work in New York, and her attempt to relate the crisis at second hand creates an absence at the center of the book.

The New Yorker

Call it arrogance to try and 'improve' a sport that had been doing OK for a century, call it an attempt to relate football to established native sports, call it a genuine innovation that had a chance but didn't quite take hold.

The Guardian - Sport

The Ohio governor's attempt to relate to everyday New Yorkers pretty much began and ended with his Torah-splaining to members of the Brooklyn Hasidic community, but, if he wanted to, John Kasich might have been able to fill a crucial New Yorker role: the role of the cranky old man.

The Guardian

Paul's Randian self-interest found its match about halfway through the video, during a brief interaction with the Florida senator Marco Rubio, who, possibly in an attempt to relate to "the kids," agreed to speak to the social-media star on Skype.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attempt to relate", ensure that the connection you are trying to make is clear and logical to your audience. Provide sufficient context and evidence to support the relationship you are establishing.

Common error

Avoid using "attempt to relate" to suggest a simple correlation between complex phenomena without acknowledging the nuances and potential confounding factors. Overstating the connection can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempt to relate" functions as a verb phrase, typically serving as part of a larger clause to indicate an effort to establish a connection or relationship between two or more things. Ludwig's AI suggests that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempt to relate" is a versatile phrase used to express the action of trying to connect or establish a relationship between different things. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Its frequency is considered very common, appearing across various domains like science, news, and encyclopedias. When using the phrase, ensure clarity in the connection and avoid oversimplifying complex relationships. Alternatives such as "try to connect" or "endeavor to link" can be used to adjust the tone to suit the context. Overall, "attempt to relate" is a valuable tool for writers aiming to express the process of finding or creating meaningful connections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to connect

This alternative uses a more general verb to convey the idea of establishing a link or association.

endeavor to link

This option suggests a determined effort to create a connection or association.

make an effort to associate

It explicitly states the action of linking items together.

seek to correlate

This emphasizes finding a mutual relationship or connection between two or more things.

aim to establish a relationship

Focuses on creating an link, suggesting a more structured or formal connection.

strive to find a connection

It suggests putting in considerable effort to discover an existing, but not obvious link.

undertake to associate

It suggests a task has been started to bring things together or make connection.

try to bring together

Using the verb "bring" to convey the idea of uniting or harmonizing different aspects.

make an attempt to harmonize

Focuses on adjusting or adapting things so they work well together.

try to draw parallels

Highlights the act of identifying similarities or analogies between different entities.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "attempt to relate" in a sentence?

To effectively use "attempt to relate", clearly state what two or more elements you are trying to connect, and provide context or explanation for why you believe a relationship exists. For example, "The study is an attempt to relate dietary habits to cardiovascular health".

What are some alternatives to "attempt to relate"?

You can use alternatives like "try to connect", "endeavor to link", or "seek to correlate" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "attempt to relate" formal or informal?

"Attempt to relate" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, the surrounding language and the specific context will influence the overall tone.

What's the difference between "attempt to relate" and "try to relate"?

While very similar, "attempt to relate" implies a slightly more formal or deliberate effort than "try to relate". "Try to relate" suggests a less structured or more casual approach.