endeavoured to

USAGE SUMMARY

"endeavoured to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe an action or effort that a person has taken to do something, such as: "She endeavoured to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some endeavoured to sound cheery.

The Economist

Coyle endeavoured to be philosophical.

The Guardian - Sport

We have never endeavoured to break hearts.

Independent

Lanzmann has endeavoured to rehabilitate them.

The Guardian - Film

I have endeavoured to write both music and words.

The Guardian

But all endeavoured to keep the balancing act alive.

The Guardian

Chelsea were dominant, until Rooney endeavoured to rouse United.

The Guardian - Sport

He has endeavoured to do this for good reasons.

The Economist

Bennett endeavoured to open foreign markets to Canadian products.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I endeavoured to resolve this and had hoped common sense would prevail.

The Guardian

At all times I have endeavoured to do my best for the management and the team.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "endeavoured to" when you want to convey a sense of formality and diligence in attempting something. It is particularly suitable for professional or academic writing where precision and careful language are valued.

Common error

Avoid using "endeavoured to" in contexts where a simpler term like "tried to" would suffice. Overly formal language can make your writing sound stilted or pretentious. Choose vocabulary that aligns with the tone and audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "endeavoured to" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating an intention or aim behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Examples from Ludwig show its use in contexts ranging from personal efforts to organizational goals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

28%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "endeavoured to" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a determined effort toward a specific objective. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is suitable for formal contexts, particularly in academic, scientific, and news-related writing. While effective in conveying diligence, it's essential to balance its formality by considering the tone and target audience; simpler alternatives may be more appropriate in informal settings. Remember to employ "endeavoured to" judiciously, maintaining a natural and engaging writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tried to

More informal and direct, lacking the slight formality of "endeavoured to".

attempted to

Similar in meaning but slightly less formal than "endeavoured to".

sought to

Implies a more deliberate or formal effort compared to "endeavoured to".

strove to

Suggests a more vigorous or determined effort than "endeavoured to".

aimed to

Indicates a clear goal or objective in the effort, which might not be as emphasized in "endeavoured to".

worked to

Focuses more on the labor or effort expended, rather than the attempt itself.

made an effort to

More descriptive, highlighting the effort involved in a general way.

undertook to

Indicates taking on a responsibility or task with a formal commitment.

pursued to

Emphasizes following a course of action to reach a goal.

aspired to

Implies having a high ambition or desire in the effort, which isn't necessarily present in "endeavoured to".

FAQs

How can I use "endeavoured to" in a sentence?

You can use "endeavoured to" to describe an attempt to achieve something, for example: "The team "endeavoured to" complete the project on time."

What are some alternatives to "endeavoured to"?

Some alternatives include "tried to", "attempted to", or "sought to", depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "endeavoured to" formal or informal?

"Endeavoured to" is considered a more formal expression. In many contexts, simpler alternatives like "tried to" are perfectly acceptable and may even be preferred for their directness.

When is it appropriate to use "endeavoured to"?

Use "endeavoured to" when you want to convey a sense of diligence and formality, often in professional, academic, or formal writing. If you aim for a conversational tone, consider using "tried to" or "attempted to".