attempts were made

USAGE SUMMARY

'attempts were made' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe an event or action in which effort was put into achieving a certain outcome. For example, "Despite numerous attempts were made to fix the problem, the issue remained unresolved."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Periodic attempts were made to gain independence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many assassination attempts were made on the monarch's life.

The Economist

Several attempts were made with Bushnell's "Turtle" against British warships.

Encyclopedia Britannica

About 25 abortive attempts were made to restore the union.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Numerous flight attempts were made in 1917, some successful.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Overnight attempts were made to burn three Orange halls.

The Economist

Several attempts were made and each one failed to connect.

TechCrunch

No attempts were made to control weed molds and diseases.

AMB Express

Many attempts were made to resist biodegradation processes (Zdrahala [1996]).

Progress in Biomaterials

Attempts were made to use other circuit configurations.

Journal of Analytical Science and Technology

Even attempts were made to liberalize immigration policies.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attempts were made", clearly state the goal or purpose of the attempts. This provides context and helps the reader understand the significance of the efforts.

Common error

Avoid using "attempts were made" without specifying who made the attempts. Always identify the actor to provide clarity and accountability. For example, instead of writing "Attempts were made to contact the patient", specify "The researchers made attempts to contact the patient".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempts were made" functions as a passive construction indicating that actions were undertaken with a specific purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. This phrase often serves to introduce or preface a description of actions taken, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

21%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "attempts were made" is a grammatically sound and widely used construction to indicate that actions were undertaken to achieve a specific goal. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and appropriate for use in written English. Analysis of the provided data shows its prevalence across various contexts, including science, news, and encyclopedias. While the register is generally neutral, paying attention to context and clarity is essential, as is avoiding vagueness by specifying who made the attempts. Related phrases like "efforts were undertaken" can provide nuance and formality. When writing, ensure the goal of the attempts is clearly stated to add context. In conclusion, the phrase is versatile and effective for conveying effort and action across many domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

efforts were undertaken

Focuses on the effort invested rather than simply the act of attempting. It is slightly more formal.

endeavors were initiated

Implies a more significant or complex undertaking, giving the impression of substantial effort. Slightly more formal than the original phrase.

steps were taken

Emphasizes specific actions taken as part of a process. It is more concrete and less abstract than "attempts were made".

measures were implemented

Focuses on concrete actions or policies that were put into effect. Used when discussing specific plans or strategies.

trials were conducted

Suitable in scientific or experimental contexts, emphasizing testing or experimentation.

moves were made

Suggests strategic actions or maneuvers, often in a competitive or political context.

actions were performed

A more general alternative, focusing simply on the fact that actions occurred. Lacks the specific sense of attempting something.

an effort was exerted

Highlights the energy or force put into an action, with a connotation of physical or mental labor.

initiatives were launched

Implies the start of a new project or program with specific goals.

applications were filed

Indicates the formal submission of documents or requests. Suitable in legal or bureaucratic contexts.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "attempts were made" to sound more formal?

To make the phrase sound more formal, consider using alternatives such as "efforts were undertaken" or "endeavors were initiated".

Is it better to use "attempts were made" or "an attempt was made"?

Use "attempts were made" when referring to multiple tries or efforts. Use "an attempt was made" when referring to a single instance of trying.

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

"Efforts were made" implies a more significant and sustained exertion of energy than "attempts were made", which simply indicates that tries or trials occurred.

How do I use "attempts were made" correctly in a sentence?

Ensure the subject performing the action is clear. For example, "The team made several attempts to resolve the issue", or "Several attempts were made by the engineers to fix the problem."