attempts

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "attempts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a noun or verb and often refers to an effort or trial to accomplish something. For example: We have made several attempts to fix the problem, but so far nothing has worked.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Later in the season, the same biographer attempts to turn Underwood's head to The Stanley Parable, an experimental installation that toys with abstract notions of free will.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Far from bolstering stability, Saudi policy actively works against western attempts to end the standoff with non-Arab Iran – still the natural regional partner for London and Washington that it was before the 1979 revolution.

The Guardian

The flight's crew included four air stewards and the captain, Patrick Sonderheimer, whose attempts to enter the cockpit by hammering on the door and appealing to Lubitz to "open the damned door" were heard on the cockpit voice recorder.

The Guardian

An insufficient number of police were deployed to Mare Street and Clarence Road, offering futile attempts to contain the anger of a vast number of youths, the source of which remains unknown.

The Guardian - Opinion

Method: Attempts to tackle the resulting problem of soil fertility have largely flopped so far.

The Guardian

Kammer is armed in these last attempts to save his client with new testimony from three doctors who last week overturned their previous evaluation of Hill.

The Guardian

The party's attempts to broaden its appeal comes as it trails far behind the major parties in the polls on just a few per cent of the vote.

The Guardian

The UK is covered by five virtually independent networks due to the government's early attempts to ensure competition in the industry.

The Guardian

Now campaigners are appealing to countries across Europe, north America and the Caribbean to offer him a chance to continue his training if the Home Office attempts to put him on a plane back to Africa.

The Guardian

It has also had to deal with attempts to limit its operations in a number of cities.

The Guardian - Tech

After five attempts, they are yet to experience their first victory at a European Championship, and that's a record that needs to end at the sixth time of asking tonight.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "endeavors" or "efforts" to add variety to your writing and avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "attempts" in a vague or general way. Always provide enough information to clarify what was being attempted and why.

Linguistic Context

The word "attempts" primarily functions as a noun, often plural, referring to multiple efforts or trials made to achieve something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it adheres to standard grammatical rules. Examples include "futile attempts to contain the anger" and "early attempts to introduce payment by results".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "attempts" is a common noun used to describe efforts or trials undertaken to achieve a specific goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical usage is correct. With a very common frequency, it appears predominantly in news media, formal business communications, and scientific publications. When using "attempts", it is beneficial to provide clear context about the goal of the attempts to enhance clarity. Synonyms like "endeavors" or "efforts" can be used to diversify writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endeavors

Refers to serious or strenuous attempts to accomplish something.

efforts

A general term for the exertion of physical or mental energy.

trials

Implies a process of testing or experimenting.

endeavours

Similar to endeavors, suggesting a determined attempt.

ventures

Suggests undertaking something risky or uncertain.

undertakings

Refers to formal or significant projects or activities.

exercises

Can refer to practical applications or demonstrations of something.

experiments

Implies a scientific or exploratory approach.

proceedings

Suggests a formal or legal process.

operations

Often used in a business or military context.

FAQs

How to use "attempts" in a sentence?

You can use "attempts" to describe efforts made to achieve a specific goal. For example: "The team made several attempts to solve the problem."

What can I say instead of "attempts"?

You can use alternatives like "efforts", "endeavors", or "trials" depending on the context.

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

"Attempts to" is generally used before a verb, while "attempts at" is used before a noun. For example: "attempts to improve" versus "attempts at a solution".

What's the difference between "attempts" and "efforts"?

"Attempts" specifically refer to trying to do something, while "efforts" can refer to the energy and resources put into achieving a goal, whether or not it involves multiple tries.