attempted to expiate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempted to expiate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing efforts to atone for or make amends for wrongdoing or guilt. Example: "He attempted to expiate his mistakes by volunteering at the local shelter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He has attempted to expiate his guilt.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Des Pallières is indeed aestheticizing the Holocaust, which seems to be both his challenge and his point: the remedy for tainted beauty is a beauty that, by confronting the taint, attempts to expiate it.

The New Yorker

If the play is Eliot's attempt to expiate his sin, it is no wonder he later renounced it.

The New York Times

Thus the whole trajectory of Janice's life is an attempt to expiate the sin of having accidentally, drunkenly, drowned her baby.

The Guardian - Books

Retelling the tale is an attempt to expiate his guilt over his silent acquiescence in the horrors meted out in the name of imperialism, and the lies he has told Kurtz's fiancee about the true nature of her lover.

The Guardian - Music

Perhaps it's an expression of a deep national guilt, an attempt to expiate an original sin.

Vice

Brisbane attempted to explain why.

The New Yorker

He attempted to supply one.

The New York Times - Sports

My father attempted to intercede.

The New Yorker

Wasil Mohammed attempted to escape.

Wikipedia

Matt Villa attempted to assuage concern.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attempted to expiate", ensure the context clearly indicates a deliberate effort to atone for a significant wrong or guilt. This phrase is most effective when the action being atoned for carries moral or ethical weight.

Common error

Avoid using "attempted to expiate" in situations where the mistake or wrongdoing is minor or inconsequential. The gravitas of "expiate" implies a serious offense, making its use in trivial contexts sound overly dramatic or inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempted to expiate" functions as a verb phrase indicating an effort or endeavor to atone for guilt or wrongdoing. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The phrase is a verb construct serving to express an action taken towards redemption.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempted to expiate" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe efforts to atone for wrongdoing, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It carries a formal tone and is best suited for serious or literary contexts, primarily appearing in news and media. While semantically related phrases such as "tried to atone for" and "sought to make amends for" offer similar meanings, "attempted to expiate" should be reserved for situations involving significant moral or ethical weight. Its infrequent usage suggests a need for careful consideration of context to avoid sounding overly dramatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tried to atone for

Replaces "attempted" with "tried" and "expiate" with "atone", focusing on the act of making amends.

sought to make amends for

Uses a more common expression for attempting to correct a wrong.

endeavored to rectify

Replaces "attempted" with "endeavored" and "expiate" with "rectify", suggesting an effort to correct a wrong.

aimed to redress

Uses "aimed" instead of "attempted" and "redress" instead of "expiate", focusing on correcting an injustice.

strove to compensate for

Indicates a strong effort to make up for a mistake or wrongdoing.

took steps to redeem

Focuses on the act of redeeming oneself after a mistake.

sought to absolve

Emphasizes the pursuit of forgiveness and release from blame.

worked to appease

Highlights efforts to pacify or soothe the consequences of an action.

tried to make reparation for

Focuses on the act of repairing damage or making restitution.

undertook to make amends

Suggests a formal or deliberate attempt to correct a wrong.

FAQs

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

You can use "attempted to expiate" to describe someone's efforts to atone for a serious mistake or wrongdoing. For example: "He "attempted to expiate" his guilt by dedicating his life to public service".

What phrases are similar to "attempted to expiate"?

Similar phrases include "tried to atone for", "sought to make amends for", and "endeavored to rectify". Each emphasizes different aspects of attempting to correct a wrong.

Is "attempted to expiate" a formal or informal expression?

"Attempted to expiate" is a relatively formal expression, best suited for serious or literary contexts. More casual alternatives might include "tried to make up for" or "tried to fix".

What is the difference between "attempted to expiate" and "tried to apologize"?

"Attempted to expiate" implies taking action to correct a wrong, often involving significant effort or sacrifice, while "tried to apologize" simply means making an effort to express remorse. Expiation goes beyond words and seeks to make amends through deeds.