The phrase "attempted to pay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an effort made to complete a payment, whether successful or not.
Example: "She attempted to pay for her groceries but her card was declined."
Alternatives: "tried to pay" or "made an effort to pay".
He attempted to pay the check Woman cashier said it would be alright.
Mr. Rushdie has often attempted to pay his tributes to India.
Bowie's self-professed biggest fan on the planet attempted to pay tribute to her idol with a Ziggy Stardust-inspired outfit and medley performance.
However, when the conmen attempted to pay the Swiss francs into a bank in Geneva, it emerged that what the Spaniards had actually received were nothing more than photocopies.
"There is no evidence whatsoever that Defendant intended to ignore, neglect or default in this matter," she wrote, adding that Mr. Hutchins "made numerous efforts to pay the two months that were late, and even attempted to pay more".
They attempted to pay with dollars, the mayor said, but when the clerk demanded Russian currency, they hurried away saying they were going to a currency exchange and left a satchel behind.
When Harper attempts to pay a ransom for the missing man, Fraley intercepts the cash.
Those asset prices then collapsed and many households are now desperately attempting to pay down their debts.
Gordon Brown was attempting to pay tribute to Reese Witherspoon – who was visiting parliament – but seemed to confuse her with Renee Zellweger.
By ensuring the protection of persons disclosing information to the media in Act CIV of 2010, the Hungarian legislation attempts to pay its long-overdue debt.
In attempting to pay tribute to and perhaps exonerate the collectors most synonymous with the Swinging '60s, it demonstrates what a difference one or two people can make.
