attempting to improve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempting to improve" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something is being done in an effort to make it better. For example: I am attempting to improve my grades by studying more.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or McDonald's current rebranding effort, which is attempting to improve the troubled fast food chain's image.

The Guardian

Despite these setbacks, the EU remained wedded to attempting to improve its relationship with Eritrea.

The Guardian

He was very well held when Hoicking to leg in attempting to improve the run rate.

The Guardian - Sport

Addressing racial residential segregation is imperative when attempting to improve any of those health outcomes.

Harvard University

Campaigners in most participating countries are also attempting to improve legislation protecting women against violence.

The New York Times

Attempting to improve a car's safety features is usually a good move.

MIT Technology Review

This is another aspect of his play that Stefanki has been working on, attempting to improve his placement.

The Guardian - Sport

Human writers do not appear to like characters attempting to improve their lot – and the world in which they live.

The Guardian - Opinion

Layden's faith in the depth of the draft has not stopped the Knicks from attempting to improve their positioning.

The New York Times - Sports

"Competition means attempting to improve your product or service, not relinquishing it to a competitor," she said.

The New York Times

In a few countries, such as Chile, governing social democrats have embraced market reforms while attempting to improve social provision.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attempting to improve", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being improved and the goal of the improvement effort. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "attempting to improve" when the actions taken have clearly failed to produce any positive change. Use more neutral language like "experimenting with" or "exploring options for" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempting to improve" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as part of a verb phrase to describe an ongoing effort or process aimed at betterment. Ludwig shows its prevalence in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "attempting to improve" is a grammatically sound and commonly used gerund phrase that conveys an active effort to make something better. Ludwig AI validates its widespread usage across diverse fields like news, science, and academia. While context-appropriate alternatives such as "striving to enhance" or "endeavoring to ameliorate" can be used, "attempting to improve" maintains a neutral and versatile tone suitable for most writing situations. It's crucial to ensure the context clarifies the object of improvement for maximum clarity. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is not only correct but also highly relevant in modern English usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

striving to enhance

Emphasizes continuous effort and aspiration towards a higher quality or better outcome.

working to refine

Focuses on making small changes over time to perfect something.

endeavoring to ameliorate

Implies efforts to improve a negative situation or condition.

seeking to optimize

Highlights efforts to make something as effective or functional as possible.

aiming to boost

Suggests an intention to increase or elevate something.

moving to advance

Highlights proactive measures aimed at progress and positive development.

taking steps to rectify

Implies fixing or correcting something that is wrong or deficient.

making an effort to correct

Focuses on the exertion of effort to address and resolve errors or issues.

trying to better

A more colloquial way of saying attempting to improve, typically less formal.

looking to upgrade

Suggests changing something with the intention of modernizing or enhancing it.

FAQs

What does "attempting to improve" mean?

The phrase "attempting to improve" signifies making an effort or taking actions with the goal of making something better, more effective, or of a higher quality. It implies an ongoing process rather than a completed achievement.

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

You can use "attempting to improve" to describe actions taken by individuals, organizations, or even abstract concepts. For example, "The company is attempting to improve its customer service" or "Ongoing research is "attempting to improve" brain shift corrections during surgery".

What are some alternatives to "attempting to improve"?

Alternatives include "striving to enhance", "working to refine", or "endeavoring to ameliorate", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "attempting to improve" formal or informal?

"Attempting to improve" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its level of formality is neutral, making it appropriate for a wide range of writing and speaking situations. More informal alternatives might include "trying to better".