attempt to repay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempt to repay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing efforts to return a favor, settle a debt, or compensate someone for something. Example: "After receiving help during a difficult time, I made an attempt to repay my friend by treating him to dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In his Dec. 5 ruling, Judge Gowan said that the agreement violated county tax law and was an illegal attempt to repay a tax judgment by altering electric rates.

The New York Times

Some of the forms of slavery are: Bonded labour: people become bonded labourers after falling into debt and being forced to work for free in an attempt to repay it.

The Guardian

A scene showing Tricia's attempt to repay one of her debts -- a pair of cheap headphones -- ends with Tricia running from a police officer, having just stolen a necklace.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I consented to attempting to repay $100 a week.

The Guardian - Opinion

ING has said it wants to sell assets to raise between 6 billion euros and 8 billion euros as it attempts to repay the Dutch state for the emergency funds that propped up its Tier One capital during the financial crisis.

The New York Times

Indeed, at today's meeting, Portugal's finance minister attempted to repay some of its bail-out loans ahead of schedule.Although Greece's problems, in terms both of debt and of growth-smothering regulation, were much worse than Ireland or Portugal's, its reforms had been beginning to bear fruit too.

The Economist

Just as the UK is now attempting to repay its debt within four years at the expense of the most vulnerable in our society, SAPs were imposed on countries such as Chile to prioritise debt repayment over expenditure on health, education and development.

The Guardian

Bible said she'd been attempting to repay the loan with a so-called rehabilitation agreement, a government-approved mechanism for struggling borrowers.

Vice

"I'll try to repay their faith".

BBC

In the next few weeks, more than 130,000 mortgage holders with the nationalized UK bank Northern Rock will be told their home loans have been sold off as part of an attempt to help repay Britain's national debt.

Vice

The HHS regulations were a last minute, hastily executed, unconstitutionally vague, attempt by Bush to repay his only loyal constituency left, the religious right wing.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attempt to repay", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being repaid, whether it's a debt, a favor, or a loss. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "attempt to repay" in contexts where a simple "thank you" or acknowledgement is more appropriate. "Repay" implies a tangible exchange or compensation, not just gratitude.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempt to repay" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of trying to give back something owed, whether it's money, a favor, or some other form of compensation. The Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts, emphasizing the effort made.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "attempt to repay" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of trying to return something owed or compensate for a loss. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, highlighting its presence in news and media, as well as wiki content. While not overly common, the phrase is versatile and appropriate for various contexts where the intention to repay is being emphasized. When using "attempt to repay", clarity regarding what's being repaid is crucial. Alternatives like "try to reimburse" or "make an effort to pay back" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to reimburse

Focuses on the action of paying back money that has been spent.

make an effort to pay back

Emphasizes the exertion of effort in returning something owed.

endeavor to compensate

Highlights the act of providing something to offset a loss or damage.

seek to refund

Specifically refers to the action of giving money back.

take steps to recompense

Implies a series of actions taken to provide restitution.

aim to make amends

Shifts the focus to repairing a relationship or rectifying a wrong.

strive to reciprocate

Highlights the act of returning a favor or gesture.

undertake to redress

Emphasizes the commitment to correct an injustice or grievance.

make restitution for

Focuses on restoring something lost or damaged.

act to indemnify

Implies protection against future loss or damage.

FAQs

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

You can use "attempt to repay" to describe an action taken to settle a debt, return a favor, or compensate for a loss. For example, "She made an "attempt to repay" her loan by working extra hours."

What's a good alternative to "attempt to repay"?

Alternatives include "try to reimburse", "make an effort to pay back", or "endeavor to compensate", depending on the specific context.

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

"Attempt to repay" and "try to repay" are similar, but "attempt to repay" can sometimes imply a more formal or determined effort.

When is it appropriate to use "attempt to repay" instead of "repay"?

Use "attempt to repay" when you want to emphasize the effort or intention to repay, especially if the success of the repayment is uncertain. Simply use "repay" when the action is completed.