attempted to restrain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempted to restrain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an effort to limit or control someone's actions or behavior. Example: "The security personnel attempted to restrain the unruly crowd during the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

I attempted to restrain my impulses by inspecting other aisles.

The New York Times

One man who attempted to restrain the passenger was bitten on the arm.

Independent

Those who attempted to restrain the mob appeared to have little effect.

The Guardian

In the middle of the last century, the postwar Labour government attempted to restrain the chaos created by the urban classes rushing to buy their slice of countryside.

The Guardian

When another passenger attempted to restrain him he bit them on the arm before suffering an apparent seizure and collapsing, forcing the plane to divert to Cork airport.

Independent

I WANT THEM TO GO TO BUST!" while my tearful mother attempted to restrain me and the next-door neighbours dialled 999.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

As they appear to attempt to restrain him, one of the officers drops his baton.

Independent

She is then tackled to the ground by two officers, while three more continue to attempt to restrain Mr Africa.

Independent

CNN will not attempt to restrain applause from the crowd, which will once again be filled with eager Republican activists.

The New York Times

We believe both are worthy goals, and it is a constant balancing act to further those goals while attempting to restrain tuition increases.

The New York Times

#Ukraine Photo: MP Iryna Suslova pic.twitter.com/LzRzr6h7k8 Members of Mr Yatsenyuk's party then ran forward, attempting to restrain Mr Barna who appeared to fight back.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attempted to restrain", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what was being restrained and the methods used. Providing specific details enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "attempted to restrain" in overly abstract or figurative contexts where a more precise verb would be appropriate. For example, instead of "attempted to restrain their emotions", consider "tried to control their emotions" or "struggled to hide their feelings".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempted to restrain" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a clause. It describes the action of trying to limit or control someone or something. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is usable and correct in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

24%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempted to restrain" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe an effort to control or limit someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is well-established in English. It appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, followed by Wiki and Science. While generally neutral in register, it's suitable for various situations, though more formal alternatives exist for academic or professional writing. When using this phrase, clarity is key: specify who or what was being restrained and how. Remember, "attempted" implies an effort, not necessarily success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tried to control

Replaces "attempted to restrain" with a more general term for control.

sought to limit

Emphasizes the effort to impose a limit on something.

endeavored to hold back

Highlights the struggle to prevent something from progressing.

made an effort to subdue

Focuses on suppressing or overcoming resistance.

took steps to curb

Suggests proactive measures to reduce or restrict something.

aimed to check

Implies an intention to stop or slow down something undesirable.

worked to constrain

Emphasizes the effort to impose restrictions or limitations.

strove to suppress

Highlights a forceful attempt to prevent something from being expressed or known.

moved to regulate

Focuses on establishing rules or standards to govern something.

undertook to govern

Emphasizes the assumption of control and responsibility for managing something.

FAQs

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

You can use "attempted to restrain" to describe someone's effort to control or limit another person, animal, or even an abstract concept. For instance, "The officer "attempted to restrain" the suspect" or "The government "attempted to restrain" inflation."

What are some alternatives to "attempted to restrain"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "tried to control", "sought to limit", or "endeavored to hold back".

Is "attempted to restrain" formal or informal?

"Attempted to restrain" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal options like "endeavored to limit" might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "attempted to restrain" and "managed to restrain"?

"Attempted to restrain" indicates an effort was made, but doesn't guarantee success. "Managed to restrain", on the other hand, implies that the effort was successful and the person or thing was effectively controlled.