i attempted to explain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I attempted to explain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an effort made to clarify or convey information to someone. Example: "During the meeting, I attempted to explain the new policy changes to my colleagues, but they still had questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Why?" We had great conversations in which I attempted to explain the Great Migration, redlining, what melanin is, etc.

University of California, Berkeley

Full details of the auction are here, and I attempted to explain how it worked at 10.23am.

The Guardian - Business

For the Americans, Amanda Holpuch, Erin McCann and I attempted to explain America's oftentimes unhealthy obsessions with open offices, the Super Bowl and chicken-fried steak.

The Guardian

Trying to be understanding of the fact that English wasn't his first language, I attempted to explain but, at 1am, didn't feel I was making much headway.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As I attempted to explain in the Crosswords Unclued article, I would rather go for a shorter cryptic clue if possible.

The Guardian

The hero of "Twilight," who, as I attempted to explain, was rescued from death on a Russian battlefield by extraterrestrials, finds himself abruptly in New York: He meets a jazz musician who tells him about chickens that talk and probably think.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

In this paper I attempt to explain what empowerment means, what it requires, and what can be expected from it.

Marine Policy

Here, I attempt to explain the major challenges on the development of an anti-HIV immunogen, and how the three-dimensional pictures of antibodies interacting with this virus can guide us to the design of a successful vaccine.

Porto Biomedical Journal

Like a missionary for his music, I attempt to explain why Crystal may really enjoy Willie's songs.

Vice

When I attempt to explain what I'm doing at work to my parents, they try their best to understand, but I know they have no idea what I just said to them.

Huffington Post

I have attempted to explain the cause and the reason for acts of political violence.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I attempted to explain" when you want to convey a sincere effort to clarify or communicate an idea, especially when the outcome was uncertain.

Common error

In formal or professional writing, avoid overusing "I attempted to explain". Opt for stronger, more direct verbs like "explained", "clarified", or "demonstrated" to convey confidence and authority in your communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I attempted to explain" functions as a declarative statement indicating a past effort to provide clarification or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It typically introduces a description of what was explained or the context surrounding the explanation. Examples show its use in various contexts, from personal anecdotes to professional reports.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

19%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I attempted to explain" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to indicate an effort to clarify something. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness. While not overly common, it appears across varied contexts, primarily in News & Media, Academia, and Science. For more formal scenarios, alternatives like "I sought to elucidate" could be considered. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects your intention to convey information, especially in situations where the outcome of the explanation may be uncertain.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I tried to clarify

Uses "tried to clarify" to emphasize the effort made to make something understandable, focusing on simplification.

I sought to elucidate

Replaces "attempted to explain" with "sought to elucidate", indicating a formal and thorough effort to clarify something.

I aimed to explicate

Uses "aimed to explicate" to suggest a focused and detailed explanation, often used in academic or technical contexts.

I undertook to clarify

Employs "undertook to clarify" to convey a sense of responsibility and deliberate action in making something clear.

I endeavored to make clear

Substitutes "attempted to explain" with "endeavored to make clear", highlighting a persistent and earnest effort.

I set out to describe

Replaces "attempted to explain" with "set out to describe", focusing on providing a detailed account or representation.

I took it upon myself to explain

Adds a sense of personal initiative by using "took it upon myself to explain", suggesting a proactive effort.

I made an effort to clarify

Uses "made an effort to clarify" to emphasize the exertion and intention behind the explanation.

I tried to get across

Replaces "attempted to explain" with "tried to get across", focusing on the success of communicating an idea.

I ventured to suggest

Uses "ventured to suggest" to imply a cautious or tentative approach to explaining something, often in delicate situations.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "I attempted to explain"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "I sought to elucidate", "I aimed to explicate", or "I undertook to clarify". These options convey a more thorough and deliberate effort to explain.

How can I rephrase "I attempted to explain" to sound less passive?

To sound less passive, try using stronger verbs. For example, instead of "I attempted to explain", you could say "I explained", "I clarified", or "I demonstrated".

What can I say instead of "I attempted to explain" if the explanation was unsuccessful?

If your explanation was unsuccessful, you might say "I tried to clarify" or "I made an effort to explain", which acknowledges your attempt without implying success. You could also consider "I tried to clarify" or "I made an effort to explain".

Is "I attempted to explain" the same as "I tried to explain"?

While similar, "I attempted to explain" often implies a more formal or deliberate effort than "I tried to explain". The phrase "I tried to explain" can be used in a broader range of situations, while "I attempted to explain" suggests a more thoughtful undertaking.