attempting to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempting to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone's efforts to achieve a certain state or quality, often in a context of self-improvement or aspiration. Example: "She is attempting to be more organized in her daily routine to enhance her productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We are attempting to be that adaptor".

The Guardian

"We're not attempting to be doctors," Williams says.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Maze Grill, though, is attempting to be something entirely other.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Many were also attempting to be as "manly" as possible.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Hey, I'm gonna go," I said, attempting to be genuine.

The New Yorker

"Attempting to be a pseudo-Disneyland didn't work out".

The New York Times - Style

I've been attempting to be vegetarian for the past five or so years, and attempting to be sexy for even longer.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the military and Wall Street are both attempting to be self-corrective.

The New York Times

She said she had been "attempting to be stronger than I actually am".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

I had attempted to be the type.

The New Yorker

"They attempted to be literary.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attempting to be" when you want to emphasize the effort and intention behind someone's actions or a project's goals. For example, instead of saying "The company is innovative", you could say "The company is attempting to be innovative", highlighting their active pursuit of innovation.

Common error

While "attempting to be" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound less confident. Sometimes, a more direct statement is stronger. For example, instead of "The study is attempting to be comprehensive", consider "The study is comprehensive" if it truly is.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempting to be" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as part of a verb phrase to describe an ongoing action or effort. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

24%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempting to be" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes an ongoing effort toward a specific goal or state. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts. While versatile, it's important to be mindful of overuse and consider more direct statements for clarity. The phrase sees frequent usage in News & Media, Science and Academic contexts, demonstrating its broad applicability. Be aware of alternatives like "trying to be" or "striving to be" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trying to be

Emphasizes the act of trying; a more general and common alternative.

striving to be

Highlights continuous effort and ambition in achieving the desired state.

seeking to be

Implies a deliberate and conscious effort to reach a certain state.

aiming to be

Focuses on the intended outcome or goal of the effort.

endeavoring to be

Suggests a serious and determined attempt, often in a formal context.

aspiring to be

Highlights a desire for something higher or more ambitious.

working towards being

Emphasizes the process and ongoing effort involved.

positioning oneself as

Focuses on the act of presenting or marketing oneself in a certain way.

making an effort to be

Highlights the conscious exertion of energy to achieve a goal.

acting as if to be

Suggests an imitation or pretense of the desired quality.

FAQs

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

Use "attempting to be" to describe an ongoing effort to achieve a certain quality or state. For instance, "The project is "attempting to be" more sustainable through eco-friendly practices".

What are some alternatives to "attempting to be"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "trying to be", "striving to be", or "aiming to be" as alternatives to "attempting to be".

Is it better to say "attempting to be" or "trying to be"?

Both "attempting to be" and "trying to be" are correct, but "attempting to be" might suggest a more formal or deliberate effort compared to the more general "trying to be".

When is it appropriate to use "attempting to be" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "attempting to be" when you want to highlight the effort and intention behind an action, especially when the outcome is not yet certain. However, avoid overuse to maintain a confident tone. You can use "seeking to be" or "endeavoring to be".