continue to attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "continue to attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing the idea of persisting in trying to achieve something despite difficulties or setbacks. Example: "Despite the challenges, we will continue to attempt to reach our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

He also vows to continue to attempt to reform the process.

The New York Times - Sports

She is then tackled to the ground by two officers, while three more continue to attempt to restrain Mr Africa.

Independent

The United States should continue to attempt to rule the world, regardless of its inability to rule one collapsing country.

The New York Times - Books

Thousands of migrants continue to attempt the treacherous sea journeys every day, fleeing war and persecution in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Eritrea and across Africa and the Middle East.

Independent

"The release had terrible consequences, but it makes no sense to continue to attempt to criminalize a tragedy that no one could have foreseen".

The New York Times

Israel says that the Palestinians continue to attempt daily attacks, and that "pro active" military measures are required to prevent them.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Despite the bloodshed, misery, and resources exhausted by continual warfare, Nanda Bayin continued to attempt to crush Tai independence, launching further offensives in 1586 and 1587.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But Baghdatis continued to attempt his wild passing shots.

The New Yorker

At the same time, she continued to attempt to get recognized as an independent student.

The Guardian - Money

However, the government continues to attempt to silence all legitimate criticism of its human rights record.

The Guardian - Opinion

They then continued to attempt to attack Zhang, hitting him on the head with the camera until he started bleeding.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, focus on the intended outcome of the attempt rather than just the continuous action. This can make your writing more engaging and goal-oriented.

Common error

Avoid using "continue to attempt" when the continuation is already evident. For instance, saying "they continue to attempt to escape, even though they were caught" is redundant because the fact they were caught implies the escape was unsuccessful and thus an attempt. In such cases, "they continue to escape" or "they still attempt to escape" would be more concise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continue to attempt" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically acting as a verb phrase expressing ongoing effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable in English, conveying persistence in the face of challenges.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

20%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "continue to attempt" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to express the idea of persisting in trying to achieve something. According to Ludwig AI, it's appropriate for describing sustained efforts despite difficulties or setbacks. It appears most frequently in news and media, followed by science and wiki sources, indicating broad applicability. While alternatives like "keep trying" or "persist in trying" offer similar meanings, "continue to attempt" explicitly highlights the ongoing nature of the effort and the possibility of setbacks. When using the phrase, avoid redundancy by ensuring the context doesn't already imply a continuation of effort or that the action is inherently an attempt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persist in trying

Replaces 'attempt' with the more forceful 'trying', suggesting a determined effort.

keep on trying

Uses the phrasal verb 'keep on' for a more informal and continuous sense of effort.

carry on trying

Similar to 'keep on trying' but with a slightly more formal tone, indicating sustained effort.

endeavor to persevere

Emphasizes the commitment to overcome obstacles and maintain effort.

resolve to keep trying

Highlights the determination to maintain effort despite difficulties.

remain committed to trying

Focuses on the unwavering dedication to the task.

maintain an effort

Expresses continuous effort in a more concise way.

persevere in the attempt

Emphasizes endurance and sustained effort in the face of challenges.

pursue relentlessly

Implies vigorous and unyielding pursuit of a goal.

press on

A shorter, more direct way of expressing continued effort.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "continue to attempt" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "endeavor to persevere" or "remain committed to trying". These options emphasize dedication and sustained effort.

What's a simpler way to say "continue to attempt"?

Simpler alternatives include "keep trying", "carry on trying", or just "press on", which are more direct and easily understood.

Is it redundant to use "continue to attempt"?

Sometimes, yes. If the context already implies that an action is an attempt, using both "continue" and "attempt" can be redundant. Consider if "continue to [action]" is sufficient.

What's the difference between "continue to attempt" and "continue trying"?

"Continue to attempt" explicitly acknowledges the potential for failure, whereas "continue trying" focuses more on the ongoing effort without necessarily highlighting the possibility of not succeeding. The difference is subtle but can affect the tone.