attempting at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'attempting at' is not correct in written English. You could use the phrase 'attempting to' instead. Example: She was attempting to fix the broken window.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

The report recommended phasing out diesel and cooking gas subsidies, which the government is now attempting at the risk of a middle-class backlash and media outrage.

The New York Times

The pain was not improved by my attempting at one point to pat her heartily on the afflicted region and telling her that she would be better soon.

The New Yorker

He was attempting at one point to drive along every single road in Scotland, for example, keeping very detailed road maps".

The Guardian - Books

Tomorrow I'd be out in those waves, attempting, at the age of 48, to surf for the first time in my life.

The Guardian - Travel

The ultra-Orthodox have also come under fire for attempting at times to impose their conservative values, such as separation of men and women, on the broader population.

The Guardian

Without attempting at this time to deal with the question at length, we deem it sufficient for the present purpose to say that we are unable to approve this narrow view of the requirement of due process.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Always take every safety precaution possible if you are attempting at-home cheering.

WikiHow

Early attempts at virtual reality headsets.

TechCrunch

Virus isolation was not attempted at UVRI.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Attempt at your own risk.

WikiHow

Laugh at his lame attempts at jokes.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "attempting at" in formal writing. Instead, use "attempting to" for grammatical correctness.

Common error

A common mistake is to add 'at' after 'attempting'. Always use "attempting to" followed by the verb in its base form. For example, instead of "attempting at fixing", write "attempting to fix".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempting at" functions as a verbal phrase aiming to express an action of trying something. However, Ludwig AI states that the phrase is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "attempting to" followed by the base form of a verb.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

15%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "attempting at" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The correct and preferred form is "attempting to". This aims to express the action of trying or making an effort. Usage analysis indicates that while common, especially in news and media, it should be avoided in formal writing. Remember to use "attempting to" followed by the base form of the verb for grammatical accuracy. Alternatives include "trying to", "endeavoring to", and "seeking to", depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trying to

This alternative is more grammatically standard and directly conveys the action of making an attempt.

endeavoring to

This alternative is a more formal synonym for 'trying' that emphasizes a serious or determined effort.

seeking to

This alternative highlights the aim or goal of the attempt, focusing on the desired outcome.

aiming to

This alternative emphasizes the direction or purpose of the attempt, similar to 'seeking to'.

striving to

This alternative suggests a sustained and vigorous effort, often against obstacles or challenges.

working to

This alternative focuses on the effort and labor involved in the attempt, highlighting the active process.

making an effort to

This alternative explicitly states that an effort is being made, emphasizing intention and exertion.

taking steps to

This alternative suggests a series of actions or measures taken to achieve a specific goal.

having a go at

This alternative is an informal expression meaning to try or attempt something.

giving it a shot

This alternative is an informal expression meaning to try something, often when the outcome is uncertain.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "attempting to" in a sentence?

Use "attempting to" followed by the base form of the verb. For example, "She is "attempting to learn" a new language" is correct, while "She is attempting at learning a new language" is incorrect.

What's a more formal way to say "attempting to"?

A more formal alternative to "attempting to" is "endeavoring to". For example, instead of saying "They are attempting to resolve the issue", you could say "They are endeavoring to resolve the issue".

What can I say instead of "attempting at"?

Since "attempting at" is grammatically incorrect, you should use alternatives such as "trying to", "seeking to", or "aiming to".

Which is correct, "attempting to" or "attempting at"?

"Attempting to" is the correct grammatical form. The phrase "attempting at" is generally considered incorrect.