attempt to secure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempt to secure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an effort or endeavor to obtain or achieve something, often in a formal or professional context. Example: "The organization made an attempt to secure funding for the new project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The government just says there must be an attempt to secure a security council resolution. 5. Length of military operation.

The Guardian

How does the Philippines attempt to secure human security for its migrants?

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

Miliband argued that any action in Syria should be preceded by an attempt to secure a UN security council resolution.

The Guardian

David Obey's attempt to secure the money seems eerily prescient.

The Guardian - Opinion

His departure triggered a further attempt to secure his obedience.

The Washington Post

But they disappeared from the final text, perhaps in an attempt to secure a stronger agreement.

Independent

It was Miller's second attempt to secure a seat in the Senate.

The Guardian

His attempt to secure reforms with the help of Russia failed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Her attempt to secure a Small Business Administration loan through their long-term bank also failed.

Stanford University

Assange's legal team will attempt to secure bail for him from Westminster magistrates next Tuesday.

The Guardian

His solicitors are challenging the process in an attempt to secure a judicial review.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attempt to secure" when you want to convey a sense of deliberate effort towards achieving a specific goal or outcome. It's suitable for formal writing and conveys a sense of purpose.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences using "attempt to secure" in a way that obscures who is making the attempt. Ensure the subject performing the action is clear to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempt to secure" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically acting as a noun (subject or object) or an adjective modifying another noun. As confirmed by Ludwig, it describes an effort or endeavor. It serves to introduce the purpose or objective of an action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "attempt to secure" is a grammatically sound and frequently used infinitive phrase, as validated by Ludwig. It effectively communicates a deliberate effort to achieve a specific goal, commonly seen in formal contexts like news, academia, and encyclopedias. While "try to secure" is a more informal alternative, "endeavor to secure" enhances formality. When using "attempt to secure", prioritize clarity in sentence structure to avoid passive voice and ensure the subject is clear. With a rating of 4.5, the phrase is deemed accurate, authoritative, and consistently used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to secure

Emphasizes the act of trying, less formal.

endeavor to secure

More formal and emphasizes a serious effort.

seek to secure

Suggests a deliberate and purposeful effort.

strive to secure

Implies a persistent and determined effort.

aim to secure

Focuses on the goal or objective.

work to secure

Highlights the active effort involved.

take steps to secure

Emphasizes the actions taken to achieve the goal.

make an effort to secure

More verbose but emphasizes the exertion of effort.

undertake to secure

Suggests a formal commitment to the task.

move to secure

Focuses on the initiation of action towards securing something.

FAQs

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

You can use "attempt to secure" to describe an effort made to obtain or ensure something. For example, "The company made an attempt to secure a new contract."

What are some alternatives to "attempt to secure"?

Alternatives include "try to secure", "seek to secure", or "endeavor to secure" depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

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

"Attempt to secure" is generally more formal than "try to secure". Choose the phrase that best fits the tone and context of your writing. "Attempt to secure" can suggest a more concerted or official effort.

What's the difference between "attempt to secure" and "secure"?

"Secure" implies that the action was successful, while "attempt to secure" indicates an effort was made, but the outcome is not necessarily guaranteed. For example, "They secured the funding" means they got it, but "They made an attempt to secure the funding" means they tried, but may or may not have succeeded.