attempted to repel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempted to repel" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an effort to drive away or resist something, such as an attack or an unwanted influence. Example: "The soldiers attempted to repel the enemy forces during the battle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Both Al-Dimashqi and the Observatory also accused the Syrian government of dropping several barrel bombs on the camp since Sunday, as they attempted to repel Isis's most advanced foray yet towards the Syrian capital.

Independent

For more than two weeks, Qusair has been the scene of a grinding battle as the rebels attempted to repel the advance of the Syrian army, backed by militants from the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah.

The Washington Post

More assured than during the previous debate in New Hampshire, Mr Rubio attempted to repel attacks from Senator Cruz, who accused him of taking a more moderate stance on immigration, one of the most divisive issues in the race, when addressing supporters on Spanish language television.

Independent

President Grant: "I was not aware that they had ever attempted to repel any insinuations".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In attempting to repel the Black Flag forces that attacked the Hanoi citadel on Dec. 21, 1873, Garnier was killed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Another gentleman will bowl a lump of leather as fast as possible, and a third gentleman will attempt to repel it with his trusty willow.

The Guardian - Sport

The liberation of Palestine, from an Arab viewpoint, is a national (qawmi) duty and it attempts to repel the Zionist and imperialist aggression against the Arab homeland, and aims at the elimination of Zionism in Palestine.

Yale University

But in that windowless, ugly space, with pigeons strutting across the grimy floor, announcements blaring unintelligibly over the loudspeaker and the sound system giving the music a harsh edge, as if impaling it on a jagged chunk of metal, my sympathies were all with the homeless people that such music is widely thought of as attempting to repel.

The Washington Post

Despite the emergence of Spieth as a major challenger, and Watson's thrilling attempts to repel the young pretender, viewing figures nosedived.

BBC

These characters struggle against a harsh society that constantly attempts to repel that which is different.

Huffington Post

Females are receptive to males from other groups, although resident males attempt to repel the intruders.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attempted to repel", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being resisted and the nature of the attempt. This phrase is best used when emphasizing a deliberate but not necessarily successful effort to ward off something.

Common error

Avoid using "attempted to repel" when a more straightforward verb like "defended" or "resisted" would be more concise and equally accurate. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempted to repel" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an action taken with the purpose of defense or resistance. It highlights an effort made, whether successful or not, to ward off an advancing force or unwanted influence. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

37%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "attempted to repel" is a grammatically correct verbal phrase used to describe an effort to resist or ward off something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is most commonly found in news reports, encyclopedias and on Wiki, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While not frequently used, when the phrase is employed, it typically emphasizes a deliberate action or struggle. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "tried to fend off" or "sought to resist" to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tried to fend off

Focuses on a defensive effort to ward off an attack or intrusion.

sought to resist

Highlights the active opposition to an opposing force or influence.

endeavored to ward off

Emphasizes a determined effort to protect against something harmful.

aimed to counter

Suggests a strategic effort to neutralize or negate an action.

undertook to fight back

Stresses the active engagement in resisting an attack or challenge.

made an effort to block

Highlights the attempt to obstruct or prevent an advance.

strove to hold back

Implies a sustained effort to restrain or contain something.

worked to defend against

Focuses on protecting against a potential threat or harm.

moved to obstruct

Suggests a deliberate action to impede progress or advancement.

labored to keep at bay

Emphasizes a difficult struggle to maintain distance from a threat.

FAQs

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

You can use "attempted to repel" to describe efforts to resist or ward off something. For example, "The soldiers "attempted to repel" the enemy forces during the siege".

What are some alternatives to "attempted to repel"?

Alternatives to "attempted to repel" include "tried to fend off", "sought to resist", or "endeavored to ward off", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "attempted to repel" or "successfully repelled"?

The choice depends on the outcome. "Attempted to repel" indicates an effort was made, regardless of success, while "successfully repelled" indicates the effort was effective and the threat was averted.

In what kind of writing is "attempted to repel" most suitable?

The phrase "attempted to repel" is suitable in formal writing, news reports, or historical accounts where a precise description of an effort to resist is needed. It might be less appropriate in casual conversation.