attempting to complete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempting to complete" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an effort or endeavor to finish a task or achieve a goal. Example: "She is attempting to complete her thesis before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Currently, 20 teams are attempting to complete the qualifying obstacle course here.

The New York Times

In a year when corporate financiers were shy of even publicly suggesting deals – never mind attempting to complete them – this was hardly a hotly contested field.

The Guardian - Business

So as Keith holes up in New York attempting to complete an album of his own, Mick releases his second solo offering, Primitive Cool.

The Guardian - Music

It has even managed to produced its own mass gaming phenomenon, Twitch Plays Pokemon, which had many thousands of viewers attempting to complete the original Pokemon game through the text chat interface.

The Guardian - Tech

Andersen contends that the records were destroyed in the normal course of business, as the firm was attempting to complete its documentation for the work it had performed as Enron's accountant.

The New York Times

Arsenal are still attempting to complete the signing of Gonzalo Higuaín from Real Madrid and any offer for Suárez could be seen as an attempt to pressurise the Spanish side into finalising the deal.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Saunders wanted to film the group as it attempted to complete Desert Bus for a sketch.

The New Yorker

San Jose will attempt to complete the first series sweep in franchise history at home on Tuesday.

The Guardian - Sport

Nearly 600,000 people have attempted to complete the puzzle since its release in early December.

The Guardian

In December he will attempt to complete the set by tackling Antarctica's Vinson Massif.

Independent

Runners down a pint in each pub and usually attempt to complete it in under an hour.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attempting to complete" when you want to emphasize the effort and intention behind finishing a task, especially when there's a possibility of failure or difficulty.

Common error

In casual conversation or informal writing, consider using simpler alternatives like "trying to finish" or "working on" to avoid sounding overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempting to complete" functions as a gerund phrase acting as part of a verb phrase. It indicates an ongoing effort or process directed towards finalizing or finishing a task or objective. This is consistent with Ludwig's examples, which show the phrase used to describe active endeavors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

30%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "attempting to complete" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a gerund phrase to describe the action of trying to finish something. While versatile, it's most common in news, media, and scientific contexts and carries a neutral to slightly formal tone. For more casual settings, consider alternatives like "trying to finish". Ludwig’s examples from authoritative sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times, demonstrate the phrase’s broad applicability and reliability in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trying to finish

Less formal; implies a general effort to conclude something.

targeting to complete

Focuses on the desired outcome.

managing to complete

Focuses on the ability or skill to complete something.

seeking to conclude

More formal; suggests a deliberate effort to bring something to a close.

aiming to accomplish

Highlights the intention and objective of finishing something.

working towards completion

Emphasizes the process of making progress toward a finished state.

undertaking to execute

Suggests a formal commitment to carry out and finish a particular task.

endeavoring to finalize

Highly formal; denotes a serious and dedicated effort to make something final.

pursuing to consummate

Implies an active chase to bring something to its ultimate fulfillment.

striving to achieve

Focuses on the ambition and effort to attain a specific goal or result.

FAQs

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

Use "attempting to complete" to describe someone's effort to finish something, such as, "The team is attempting to complete the project by Friday".

What can I say instead of "attempting to complete"?

You can use alternatives like "trying to finish", "working towards completion", or "aiming to accomplish" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "attempting to complete" or "trying to complete"?

"Attempting to complete" is more formal and emphasizes the effort, while "trying to complete" is more general and informal. Choose based on the tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "attempting to complete" and "managing to complete"?

"Attempting to complete" focuses on the effort being made, whereas "managing to complete" emphasizes the successful accomplishment despite potential challenges.