attempt was made

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempt was made" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an effort or try was undertaken to achieve something, often in a formal or passive context. Example: "An attempt was made to resolve the issue before escalating it to management."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No attempt was made to glamorize poverty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

No assassination attempt was made.

The New York Times

No attempt was made to steal anything.

The Guardian

No attempt was made at character dressing or historical accuracy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An unsuccessful settlement attempt was made in 1880.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some attempt was made to codify customary law.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But no attempt was made to include the film component.

The New York Times - Arts

But no attempt was made to stop this happening".

The Guardian

An armed attempt was made to free Chávez from Yare.

The New Yorker

No attempt was made to block access to the ramp.

The New York Times - Sports

A deliberate attempt was made to hit Buckingham Palace.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using active voice for directness; for example, instead of "an attempt was made to fix the issue", write "they attempted to fix the issue".

Common error

While "attempt was made" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound indirect. Prefer active voice when clarity and directness are paramount. For instance, switch from "An attempt was made to contact the client" to "We attempted to contact the client".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempt was made" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an effort or try occurred. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for conveying that something was tried without specifying who did it.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

26%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "attempt was made" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that indicates an effort has been undertaken. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for formal and objective contexts, such as scientific reports, news articles, and encyclopedic entries. While versatile, it's important to be aware of the potential for overuse of passive voice; consider using active voice when directness and clarity are paramount. When you want to vary the expression, alternative options include "an effort was undertaken" or "steps were taken". By considering these nuances, writers can effectively and appropriately use the phrase "attempt was made" in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an effort was undertaken

Replaces "attempt" with "effort" and uses "undertaken" for a slightly more formal tone.

an endeavor was pursued

Substitutes "attempt" with "endeavor" and "made" with "pursued", suggesting a determined effort.

a bid was launched

Uses "bid" to replace "attempt", implying a specific, often competitive, effort.

steps were taken

Replaces the entire phrase with a more general expression indicating actions were initiated.

measures were implemented

Indicates that specific actions or strategies were put into effect.

an initiative was started

Highlights the beginning of a project or plan.

action was initiated

Focuses on the commencement of action, removing the explicit mention of an "attempt".

a move was executed

Suggests a strategic action was carried out.

a trial was conducted

Emphasizes the experimental nature of the attempt.

an experiment was performed

Highlights a scientific or methodical approach to the attempt.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "attempt was made" to sound more direct?

You can use active voice constructions such as "[someone] attempted to..." or "[someone] tried to..." For example, instead of "An attempt was made to resolve the issue", you could say "They "attempted to resolve" the issue".

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "attempt was made"?

While "attempt was made" is grammatically correct, active voice often provides more clarity and directness. Using active voice (e.g., "We attempted") makes it clear who made the attempt. Passive voice is useful when the actor is unknown or unimportant.

What are some synonyms for "attempt was made" that maintain a formal tone?

Alternatives that retain formality include "an effort was undertaken", "steps were taken", or "measures were implemented". These phrases can be used interchangeably with "attempt was made" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "attempt was made" instead of a more direct phrasing?

Use "attempt was made" when the actor is unknown, irrelevant, or when emphasizing the action itself rather than who performed it. It's also suitable in formal reports or when maintaining an objective tone is important.