attempted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort made to achieve something, often implying that the effort was not successful. Example: "She attempted to solve the complex math problem but ultimately needed help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The firm attempted to maintain its profitability by marginally reducing the proportion of revenue set aside to pay staff to 36.8% from 36.9%.

The Guardian - Business

Of all the senators who attempted Wednesday to rally support for the doomed Manchin-Toomey background check amendment, Connecticut's Democratic freshman representative, Chris Murphy, probably faced the greatest temptation to borrow the moral authority of the Newtown families.

The Guardian - Opinion

Speaking on the BBC1's Andrew Marr Show, the shadow home secretary attempted to draw a distinction between her approach and those of the two other main hopefuls, Burnham and Kendall, who have been quicker to distance themselves from some of former leader Ed Miliband's election policies.

The Guardian

The announcement also has united Sweet Briar graduates from around the world in hopes of reversing the decision and the local county attorney has attempted to blunt the closure through the courts.

The Guardian

Having followed in to contest the ball, Völler appeared to do all he could to avoid clattering Van Breuckelen in mid-air but an incensed Rijkaard attempted to drag Völler to his feet by the ear, then stamped on his foot, prompting the German to fall to the ground.

The Guardian - Sport

Spence told Radio Ulster that the UVF had been "engaged in murder, attempted murder of civilians, attempted murder of police officers.

The Guardian

The former US attorney for the southern district of New York also revealed that Blatter and the Fifa executive committee attempted to refer him to the organisation's disciplinary committee in September after he publicly called for the report to be published in full.

The Guardian - Sport

He spent the next 17 hours there – approximately, as it was a windowless room and the lights were kept on overhead – while police attempted an interrogation he described as a fishing expedition.

The Guardian

I attempted to write a young adult fairytale with Fearless, which I set out to construct in a purely mythological fashion.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Alex Osborn, the "O" in BBDO, was one of the original mad men who attempted to make the creative aspects of advertising systematic.

The Guardian

For a brief period it attempted to head off accusations of sexism by featuring a semi-naked "Page 7 fella".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attempted", consider the context. It often implies that the effort was unsuccessful, so choose it when you want to convey that meaning specifically. If the effort succeeded, use a word like "tried" or "managed" instead.

Common error

Avoid using "attempted" when the action was successfully completed. For instance, instead of saying "She attempted to climb the mountain and succeeded", use "She climbed the mountain" or "She managed to climb the mountain."

Linguistic Context

The word "attempted" functions primarily as the past tense and past participle of the verb "attempt", describing an action that someone has tried to do. It also functions as an adjective when modifying a noun, often implying failure. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempted" is a versatile word primarily functioning as the past tense of the verb "attempt" and as an adjective. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media contexts. It commonly signifies that an effort was made, often implying lack of success. For alternatives, consider "tried" or "endeavored", keeping in mind the subtle differences in formality and implication. When writing, be mindful of overusing "attempted" in positive contexts, opting for words like "managed" when the action was completed successfully.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tried

A direct synonym, indicating an action undertaken to achieve a goal. It's a more common and less formal alternative.

endeavored

A more formal synonym, suggesting a serious or determined effort. It carries a stronger sense of commitment.

endeavoured

British English spelling of "endeavored", carrying the same formal tone and implication of serious effort.

sought

Implies a focused effort to find or achieve something, often suggesting a specific target or objective.

undertook

Indicates the commencement of a task or project, often implying a significant undertaking.

made an effort

Highlights the action of trying to achieve a goal without necessarily succeeding.

essayed

A somewhat archaic term, suggesting a tentative or experimental attempt.

aimed

Suggests directing effort or intention towards a specific goal or target.

took steps

Focuses on the actions initiated, implying progress towards a goal even if not fully achieved.

strove

Implies a vigorous or strenuous effort, often against obstacles or resistance.

FAQs

How can I use "attempted" in a sentence?

"Attempted" can be used to describe an effort made to achieve something, often implying the effort was unsuccessful. For example, "He "attempted" to fix the car, but it still wouldn't start".

What's the difference between "attempted" and "tried"?

Both words indicate an effort, but "attempted" often suggests a more formal or serious effort, and it often implies the effort was unsuccessful. "Tried" is more neutral and doesn't necessarily suggest failure. You can replace them for sentences where trying is not achieved "attempted" can be used in place of "tried" when you wish to stress the potential for failure or incompletion.

Is "attempted murder" different from "murder"?

Yes, "attempted murder" means someone tried to kill another person but didn't succeed, while "murder" means someone successfully killed another person. The legal consequences are different, with murder typically carrying a more severe penalty.

Which is more formal, "attempted" or "tried"?

"Attempted" is generally considered more formal than "tried". In formal writing or legal contexts, "attempted" might be preferred, while "tried" is suitable for everyday conversation and informal writing.