endeavored

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "endeavored" is a perfectly valid and usable word in written English.
It is a verb that means to have strived or made an attempt; as such, it is most frequently used in the past tense form "endeavored." For example, you could say "He endeavored to finish the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Christmas shutdown didn't help, of course, but I endeavored to send all forms back first class with recorded delivery, alongside the requisite birth, death and marriage certificates.

Independent

Stahl postulated, and endeavored to demonstrate by experimentation, that phlogiston remained materially uniform in all bodies that contained it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The tree devastation had extended even to the modest showy trees, the trees that the other Washington, known for façade and neglect, might have endeavored to save.

The New Yorker

So, in tribute to Bach, I endeavored to silently munch one or two nachos during the D-major middle section of the Chaconne.

The New Yorker

But "financialization" isn't a sufficient word — it's the nationalization of Broadway Manhattann as a high-profile arena where national brands marshal a divide-and-conquer strategy to drive out all local competition and then split the market amongst themselves, as Sears and Wal-Mart once endeavored to do with the rest of the country.

The New Yorker

Depardieu heard minable, and endeavored not to become Ayrault's breakfast.

The New Yorker

The list of things to do has been backing up recently, and so this afternoon I endeavored to check them off in my neighborhood, Zamalek, a leafy upscale island in the middle of the Nile.

The New Yorker

In the forties, Dewey formed the Foundation for the Study of Cycles, which endeavored, in a pre-computer era, to collect and process as much cycle data as possible.

The New Yorker

Kate endeavored to put some of the value back on.

The New Yorker

Comfort himself revised his book several times; now Susan Quilliam, a British "relationship psychologist and agony aunt" (as her Web site describes her), has endeavored to modernize the text for a new, post-feminist era.

The New Yorker

In his latest play, the skillful scenarist tells the story, based on real events, of Henrik Ibsen's relationship to Gustav Vigeland (Hamish Linklater), a sculptor who endeavored to make a likeness of the artist who changed the world stage.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "endeavored" when you want to convey a sense of formal effort and determination. It's particularly effective in professional or academic writing where a more elevated tone is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "endeavored" in informal contexts. Using it too frequently can make your writing sound stilted or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "tried" or "attempted" in everyday conversation or casual writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "endeavored" is as a verb in the past tense. It signifies an action that was performed, specifically the act of trying or striving to achieve something. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "endeavored" is the past tense form of the verb "endeavor", indicating a determined attempt to achieve something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used. While alternatives like "tried" and "attempted" exist, "endeavored" carries a more formal and sophisticated tone, making it suitable for academic, professional, and literary contexts. As shown by Ludwig's examples, it frequently appears in News & Media and Encyclopedic sources. It's essential to use it judiciously to avoid sounding overly pretentious in informal settings. Remember, choosing the right word depends on the context and the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tried

A more common and less formal synonym for "endeavored".

attempted

Similar in meaning to "endeavored", but slightly more formal than "tried".

strived

Implies a sustained effort, similar to "endeavored" but with a stronger sense of perseverance.

sought

Suggests a directed effort to find or achieve something, sharing the proactive element of "endeavored".

worked

Emphasizes the action taken, focusing on the process rather than just the attempt implied by "endeavored".

aimed

Highlights the intention or goal, similar to "endeavored" in that it focuses on a purpose-driven action.

labored

Implies hard work and effort, potentially more strenuous than the effort suggested by "endeavored".

undertook

Suggests the commencement of a task or project, similar to the initiating action implied by "endeavored".

aspired

Focuses on a high goal or ambition, sharing the element of purposeful pursuit with "endeavored".

set out

Highlights the beginning of an action or journey, focusing on the initial intention similarly to "endeavored".

FAQs

How do you use "endeavored" in a sentence?

The word "endeavored" is the past tense of "endeavor", meaning to try hard to do or achieve something. For example, "She "endeavored" to complete the project despite the challenges."

What can I say instead of "endeavored"?

You can use alternatives like "tried", "attempted", or "strived" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "endeavored"?

Use "endeavored" when you want to convey a formal and determined effort. It's suitable for professional, academic, or literary contexts where a more elevated tone is desired.

Is "endeavored" interchangeable with "tried" in all situations?

While "endeavored" and "tried" both indicate an attempt, "endeavored" suggests a more significant and formal effort. In casual contexts, "tried" is often more appropriate.