frantically trying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "frantically trying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is making a desperate or hurried effort to accomplish something, often in a stressful situation. Example: "She was frantically trying to finish her report before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Protagonist frantically trying to reason with them?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

So rich countries are frantically trying to cancel orders.

The New York Times - Health

Ohio State is frantically trying to avoid one.

The New York Times

Aid officials were frantically trying to redirect supplies.

The New York Times

Oxfam is frantically trying to keep this borehole flowing.

Independent

Alice is frantically trying to keep Luba from going under.

The New York Times - Books

Do you really want politicians spending all day frantically trying to write?

The New York Times

And the hotel industry is frantically trying to stay on top of the commotion.

The New York Times

Families throughout India were frantically trying to track down their missing relatives.

The New York Times

And Greenhill & Company has been frantically trying to calm nerves about departing executives.

The New York Times

A fish frantically trying to escape from a predator might get the advantage of reduced drag.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "frantically trying" to vividly depict a character's desperate effort in narratives, creating a sense of urgency and heightened emotion for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "frantically trying" in formal or professional writing where a more composed tone is expected. Opt for phrases like "diligently working" or "actively pursuing" to maintain a professional demeanor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "frantically trying" functions as a verb phrase modifier, where "frantically" modifies the verb "trying", indicating the manner in which the action is performed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and usable construction. The examples in Ludwig illustrate this function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "frantically trying" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively communicates urgency and desperation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to vividly depict characters or entities in stressful situations. While generally neutral in register, writers should exercise caution in formal contexts, opting for more composed alternatives when appropriate. Consider similar phrases like "desperately attempting" or "anxiously striving" to fine-tune the intended emotional tone. Avoiding overuse and adapting the phrase to suit the context will ensure clarity and impact in your writing. Overall, this is a versatile phrase when aiming to illustrate a desperate situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desperately attempting

Replaces "frantically" with "desperately", emphasizing hopelessness.

anxiously striving

Substitutes "frantically" with "anxiously" and "trying" with "striving", highlighting worry and effort.

hastily working

Replaces "frantically" with "hastily", focusing on speed rather than emotional state.

eagerly endeavoring

Changes "frantically" to "eagerly" and "trying" to "endeavoring", implying enthusiasm rather than desperation.

intensely pursuing

Replaces "frantically" with "intensely" and "trying" with "pursuing", emphasizing focused effort.

madly searching

Changes "trying" to "searching", implying a quest, and replaces "frantically" with "madly", suggesting mania.

wildly scrambling

Uses "wildly" instead of "frantically" and "scrambling" instead of "trying", conveying a sense of disorganization.

earnestly seeking

Replaces with "earnestly seeking", highlighting sincerity and determination.

vigorously aiming

Changes to "vigorously aiming", emphasizing strength and purpose.

busily engaged

Substitutes with "busily engaged", indicating active involvement without desperation.

FAQs

How can I use "frantically trying" in a sentence?

You can use "frantically trying" to describe someone making a desperate effort. For example: "She was "frantically trying" to find her keys before she missed the train."

What phrases are similar to "frantically trying"?

Similar phrases include "desperately attempting", "anxiously striving", or "hastily working", each conveying a sense of urgency or desperation.

Is it appropriate to use "frantically trying" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "frantically trying" might be too informal for professional contexts. Consider using alternatives such as "diligently working" or "actively pursuing" for a more composed tone.

What's the difference between "frantically trying" and "eagerly endeavoring"?

"Frantically trying" implies desperation and urgency, while "eagerly endeavoring" suggests enthusiasm and a positive outlook. The choice depends on the context and the intended emotional tone.