attempting to do something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempting to do something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an effort or endeavor to achieve a specific task or goal. Example: "She is attempting to do something meaningful with her life by volunteering in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"Now you're going into the realm of attempting to do something that's never been done before.

The New York Times - Sports

"We're seeing people turning away from their vodka sodas and attempting to do something more stylish".

The New York Times

Typically, V.T.S. centers on live classroom discussion of works of visual art, so attempting to do something similar online, and with photojournalism instead, will be an experiment for us both.

The New York Times

Yet the deterioration of the government's finances today from a surplus of 2.4% of GDP in the 2000 fiscal year is certainly steeper.What is more, by 1983 Mr Reagan and Congress were together attempting to do something about the deficit.

The Economist

I'm not sure if his stories were meant to alarm us like a campfire ghost story, but it only excited me more to hear that we are attempting to do something that others could not.

The New York Times

When you hear the president promise to have some sort of a missile shield in place by 2004, remember that there is nothing so disaster-prone as a large military organization attempting to do something really, really fast.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

They learn when they attempt to do something and fail.

The New York Times - Tech

I think I attempted to do something similar here and wasn't able to do that.

The Guardian - Books

No, it was that X Factor finally woke up and attempted to do something current.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"We are just concerned that someone – perhaps seeking notoriety – will attempt to do something similarly," Mr. Kelly said.

The New York Times

"Sooner or later somebody is going to attempt to do something they shouldn't do and they are going to fry themselves.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attempting to do something" when you want to convey that an effort is being made, regardless of the outcome. It emphasizes the intention and the process rather than the result.

Common error

While "attempting to do something" is generally acceptable, consider using more precise verbs to describe the action being undertaken, especially in formal writing. Alternatives like "endeavoring" or "striving" can add nuance and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempting to do something" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as part of a verb phrase to describe an ongoing effort or action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It describes the process of trying to achieve a specific task or goal.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempting to do something" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe an effort or endeavor to achieve a specific task. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability across various contexts, although it's often observed in news, scientific, and formal business writing. When aiming for a more nuanced or formal tone, consider alternatives like "endeavoring to accomplish something" or "striving to achieve something". Be mindful of overusing the phrase, especially in formal contexts where more specific verbs could enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trying to achieve something

Replaces "attempting" with "trying" and specifies "achieve" instead of the broader "do", slightly changing the focus to accomplishment.

endeavoring to accomplish something

Uses more formal vocabulary like "endeavoring" and "accomplish", increasing the formality of the expression.

seeking to achieve something

Substitutes "attempting" with "seeking," which implies a more active pursuit of a goal.

working towards a goal

Focuses on the ongoing effort with "working towards", shifting the emphasis from a single attempt to a process.

making an effort to succeed

Highlights the effort being made and specifies the desired outcome as "succeeding".

undertaking an action

Replaces "attempting" with "undertaking" and "do something" with "action", making the phrase more formal and emphasizing the initiation of a task.

striving to accomplish something

Emphasizes the effort and determination with "striving", conveying a sense of challenge and perseverance.

aiming to complete a task

Uses "aiming" to indicate intention and specifies "complete a task" for a more concrete action.

pursuing a specific objective

Replaces "attempting" with "pursuing", which suggests a sustained effort toward a well-defined "objective".

taking steps to achieve a result

Focuses on the individual actions taken with "taking steps", emphasizing the process of achieving a result.

FAQs

How can I use "attempting to do something" in a sentence?

You can use "attempting to do something" to describe someone making an effort to achieve a goal, such as, "She is attempting to do something meaningful with her life by volunteering."

What are some alternatives to "attempting to do something"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "trying to achieve something", "endeavoring to accomplish something", or "seeking to achieve something".

What's the difference between "attempting to do something" and "trying to do something"?

"Attempting to do something" and "trying to do something" are often interchangeable, but "attempting" can sometimes imply a more formal or deliberate effort.

When is it best to use a more specific verb instead of "attempting to do something"?

In formal writing, consider replacing "attempting to do something" with a more precise verb that describes the specific action being undertaken. For example, instead of "attempting to fix the car", you might say "repairing the car".