attempts to finish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempts to finish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing efforts made to complete a task or goal. Example: "Despite the challenges, she makes several attempts to finish the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

There have also been countless attempts to finish the story.

The New York Times

Attempts to "finish" this piece are presumptuous and unwise.

The New York Times - Arts

Alex's attempts to finish his book are continually disrupted by her persistent requests and complaints.

The New York Times

Robinson hit 4 of 6 3-point attempts to finish with 14 points to go with 7 rebounds.

The New York Times - Sports

But he continued to affect aspects of the game, and made all 13 of his free-throw attempts to finish with a game-high 35 points.

The New York Times - Sports

Cook made 2 of 10 shots and missed all three 3-point attempts to finish with a season-low 5 points.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

But it might have had an inadvertent consequence: some are attempting to finish what they started.

The New York Times - Sports

I attempt to finish my final paper for my Desire class.

The New York Times

In the everyman category, Robert Shurman is plugging away in his attempt to finish his 29th consecutive New York City marathon.

The New York Times

Kerr, the 2007 United States Women's Open champion, sank her birdie attempt to finish with a one-under 71.

The New York Times - Sports

That country's reluctance to make concessions on agriculture was blamed by many for the collapse of the last serious attempt to finish the Doha round in July 2008.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attempts to finish" when you want to emphasize the repeated or ongoing nature of trying to complete something, especially if there are obstacles or difficulties involved.

Common error

Avoid using "attempts to finish" excessively in very formal writing; consider stronger verbs like 'completes', 'finalizes', or 'achieves' if the context suggests a successful outcome is likely or has already occurred. This will improve the clarity and impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempts to finish" primarily functions as a noun phrase acting as the subject or object of a sentence, describing actions taken with the intention of completing a task or activity. Ludwig's examples illustrate this across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

12%

Sports

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempts to finish" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes efforts made to complete a task or activity. Ludwig's analysis shows the phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources, with neutral formality. It serves to communicate the process of trying to achieve completion, often highlighting challenges or persistence. While versatile, more formal alternatives may be considered for highly formal contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is a reliable and clear expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tries to complete

Emphasizes the act of trying with the aim of completion.

is trying to conclude

Similar meaning, using the present continuous tense for a slightly different emphasis.

endeavors to conclude

A more formal and emphatic way of saying 'tries to finish'.

makes an effort to end

Highlights the exertion of effort toward bringing something to an end.

seeks to finalize

Focuses on the pursuit of finalization.

works towards finishing

Suggests continuous effort directed at completion.

strives to wrap up

Implies a determined effort to conclude or complete something.

aims to bring to a close

Focuses on the intention to conclude something.

takes steps to complete

Highlights the actions taken in order to finish something.

undertakes to complete

Formal way of saying 'attempts to finish', often used in official contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "attempts to finish" in a sentence?

You can use "attempts to finish" to describe actions taken to complete something. For example: "The team made several "attempts to finish" the project on time."

What can I say instead of "attempts to finish"?

You can use alternatives like "tries to complete", "seeks to finalize", or "endeavors to conclude" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "attempt to finish" or "attempts to finish"?

Use "attempt to finish" for a single try, and "attempts to finish" when referring to multiple efforts. For example: "His first "attempt to finish" failed, but he made several more "attempts to finish" the race."

What is the difference between "attempts to finish" and "efforts to finish"?

"Attempts to finish" implies specific actions aimed at completion, while "efforts to finish" is a broader term that encompasses any exertion toward that goal. "Attempts" suggests a series of discrete tries.