attempts to open

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempts to open" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing efforts or actions taken to access or initiate something, such as a file, door, or application. Example: "The software frequently attempts to open the file, but it encounters an error each time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

His attempts to open the door failed.

The New Yorker

Further attempts to open up bidding proved fruitless.

The New York Times

There have been various attempts to open a band gap in graphene.

The Economist

The shop follows Sir Stelios' failed attempts to open a similar business in Croydon.

Independent

But some attempts to open a dialogue with viewers have been a little odd.

The Economist

PBE's good-willed attempts to open a dialogue with CC has been met with suspicious resistance.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This attitude has sparked several attempts to open up the conversation about death.

The Guardian - Money

Previous attempts to open up a dialogue have not fared well.

The New York Times

These conflicts have contributed to the region's poverty and marginalisation and might yet frustrate attempts to open it up.

The Economist

Her attempts to open a scattering of foreign sites, like that of Reporters Without Borders, fail as well.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

White-winged Choughs, raven-like Australian birds, are reported to employ pieces of mussel shell as hammers in their attempts to open other mussels.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attempts to open", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being opened and the purpose behind the effort. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "attempts to open" without specifying the object. For example, instead of saying "There were several attempts to open", specify "There were several "attempts to open" the locked box".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempts to open" primarily functions as a noun phrase that acts as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting the act of trying to gain access or initiate something. Ludwig AI confirms this, offering numerous examples where the phrase clearly indicates an action being undertaken.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

17%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "attempts to open" is a versatile and frequently used noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig, employed to describe efforts to gain access or initiate something. Grammatically sound and suitable for a neutral register, it appears across diverse contexts, from news media to scientific literature. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the object being opened. Alternatives like "tries to unlock" or "endeavors to access" can provide nuanced variations. The phrase is valuable for effectively conveying the act of trying to open in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tries to unlock

Focuses on the specific action of unlocking as an attempt to open.

endeavors to access

Emphasizes a more formal effort to gain access.

seeks to unseal

Highlights the effort to break a seal as an attempt to open something securely closed.

efforts to unblock

Suggests removing an obstruction to allow opening or access.

aims to release

Focuses on freeing something as a form of opening or making available.

strives to crack

Emphasizes an intensive effort to break open something difficult to access.

ventures to initiate

Implies a bold or risky attempt to start or open something.

works to unfold

Describes efforts to reveal or open something that is folded or concealed.

struggles to detach

Indicates a difficult attempt to separate or open something that is joined.

experiments to expose

Focuses on attempts to reveal or open up something through experimentation.

FAQs

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

You can use "attempts to open" to describe actions aimed at gaining access or initiating something. For instance, "His "attempts to open" the file were unsuccessful", or "The company made several "attempts to open" a new branch in the city".

What are some alternatives to "attempts to open"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "tries to unlock", "endeavors to access", or "efforts to unblock".

Is it more formal to say "attempts to open" or "tries to open"?

"Attempts to open" is slightly more formal than "tries to open". "Attempts" suggests a more deliberate or persistent effort. Consider the context when choosing between the two.

What's the difference between "attempts to open" and "attempting to open"?

"Attempts to open" is a noun phrase, referring to the actions themselves. "Attempting to open" is a gerund phrase, which can function as a noun or part of a continuous verb tense, describing the ongoing process of trying to open something.