attempted to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempted to be" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe an effort made to achieve a certain state or action, often in a passive construction. Example: "He attempted to be more organized this year, but it didn't last long."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I had attempted to be the type.

The New Yorker

"They attempted to be literary.

The New York Times

Cameron attempted to be calm and dismissive.

The Guardian

The trends observed are attempted to be interpreted physically.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

No black girl ever attempted to be Cindy Crawford.

The New York Times

She had attempted to be someone she didn't really understand.

The New York Times - Books

A thin and firmly deposited palladium membrane applicable to surface catalysis is attempted to be prepared.

Catalysis Today

As a biological sample, seaweed including IL was attempted to be observed by SEM.

Electrochimica Acta

This gap is attempted to be filled by the present study.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

Traditionally, springback has attempted to be expressed in handbook tables or in springback graphics.

Journal of Materials Processing Technology

The proposed abutment was attempted to be implemented in a precast I-beam bridge.

Engineering Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attempted to be", ensure the sentence clearly indicates whether the attempt was successful. If the success is unknown, the phrase is particularly useful. For example: "The issue was attempted to be solved, but further analysis is needed."

Common error

Avoid using "attempted to be" when a simpler phrase like "tried to be" suffices. Overusing "attempted to be" can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or convoluted. Choose the simplest option that conveys your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempted to be" functions as part of a verb phrase, typically in passive constructions. It indicates an action that someone or something has tried to perform or a state they tried to achieve. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "attempted to be" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression across various domains, including news, science, and general writing. As noted by Ludwig AI, it effectively conveys an effort made towards a specific action or state. While alternatives such as "tried to be" exist, "attempted to be" often carries a slightly more formal tone. When employing this phrase, writers should ensure clarity regarding the outcome of the attempt and avoid overuse in contexts where simpler phrasing would suffice. As such, you can use alternatives like sought to be or aimed to be to add more variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tried to be

Replaces "attempted" with the more common and direct "tried", simplifying the expression.

tried hard to be

Adds emphasis to the effort, using "tried hard" to show increased exertion.

sought to be

Uses "sought" instead of "attempted", suggesting a more deliberate or determined effort.

aimed to be

Emphasizes the goal or intention, using "aimed" to highlight the targeted nature of the effort.

made an effort to be

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the effort made, providing a more descriptive alternative.

endeavored to be

Substitutes "attempted" with "endeavored", conveying a more formal and earnest effort.

strived to be

Replaces "attempted" with "strived", highlighting the effort and struggle involved.

aspired to be

Indicates a strong desire or ambition, using "aspired" to show a higher level of aspiration.

wished to be

Expresses a desire or longing, using "wished" to convey a sense of hope or unrealized intention.

sought after to be

Focuses on the desire of others, using "sought after" to show external demand.

FAQs

How can I use "attempted to be" in a sentence?

You can use "attempted to be" to describe an action or state that someone tried to achieve. For example, "She "attempted to be" calm during the presentation."

What are some alternatives to "attempted to be"?

Some alternatives include "tried to be", "sought to be", or "aimed to be", which can be used depending on the specific context.

Is "attempted to be" grammatically correct?

Yes, "attempted to be" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English. It describes an effort made to achieve a certain state or action.

What is the difference between "attempted to be" and "tried to be"?

"Attempted to be" and "tried to be" are similar, but "attempted" often implies a more formal or significant effort than "tried". In many cases, they are interchangeable.