in their attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in their attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone's attempt at doing something. For example, "The students worked hard in their attempt to complete their project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Did some of them secretly pray that these men would succeed in their attempt?

Columbia University

National courts produced numerous cases in their attempt to capture the Internet using existing legal norms.

Harvard University

Hedge funds are quite diverse in their attempt to achieve these goals.

Yale University

In Iowa, Republicans failed in their attempt to win control of the State Senate.

The New York Times

The authorities have been unsuccessful in their attempt to assure tramway communication.

The New York Times

So the Knicks may be stymied in their attempt to build an empire.

The New York Times - Sports

Conservatives have clearly failed in their attempt to kill off Sarbox.

The Economist

The authorities regularly scrutinize such organizations, however, in their attempt to identify militants.

The New York Times

Han and Leia are cornered by Stormtroopers in their attempt to deactivate the shield.

The Washington Post

"The town board totally ignored their public trust in their attempt to please the Talmages".

The New York Times

Every summer, some would-be immigrants die in their attempt to reach Italy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in their attempt" to clearly indicate a collective effort or endeavor by a group, ensuring it's followed by a verb that specifies the action they are trying to perform. For example, "In their attempt to reduce costs, the company implemented new strategies."

Common error

Avoid using "in their attempt" when referring to a singular subject. Instead, use "in his attempt" or "in her attempt" depending on the subject's gender or rephrase the sentence. For example, instead of "The CEO, in their attempt to increase profits..." write "In his attempt to increase profits, the CEO...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in their attempt" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating the purpose or manner of an action. It introduces a clause explaining the reason behind a particular action undertaken by a group. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

32%

Science

21%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in their attempt" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe a group's effort to achieve a specific goal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatically correct and it is used across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. While generally neutral in tone, it adds clarity by explaining the motivation behind an action, though careful attention should be paid to ensure it refers to a group and not a single individual. Related phrases like "in their endeavor" or "as they tried" can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in their endeavor

This alternative replaces "attempt" with "endeavor", suggesting a more sustained or earnest effort.

in their efforts

Using "efforts" emphasizes the actions taken rather than the overall attempt.

in their striving

This uses "striving" to highlight the struggle and dedication involved in the attempt.

as they tried

A simpler rephrasing, focusing on the act of trying.

when they endeavored

This alternative shifts the sentence structure and uses "endeavored" as a verb.

in a bid to

This is a more concise and idiomatic way of expressing the same idea.

with the aim of

This alternative highlights the purpose or goal of the attempt.

seeking to

Focuses on the act of seeking a particular outcome.

as they sought

Rephrases as an active seeking with less formal tone.

whilst trying

Implies the attempt took place while other thing where happening.

FAQs

How can I use "in their attempt" in a sentence?

Use "in their attempt" to describe a group's effort to achieve a specific goal. For example, "In their attempt to escape, the prisoners dug a tunnel." Ensure the sentence clearly indicates who is making the attempt and what they are trying to achieve.

What are some alternatives to using "in their attempt"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in their endeavor", "in their efforts", or "as they tried", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each alternative offers a slightly different emphasis on the effort being made.

Is it correct to use "in their attempt" for a single person?

No, "in their attempt" refers to a group. For a single person, use "in his attempt" or "in her attempt". You could also rephrase the sentence to avoid the possessive form altogether, such as "in an attempt".

What's the difference between "in their attempt" and "in their efforts"?

"In their attempt" refers to the overall endeavor, while "in their efforts" emphasizes the specific actions or steps taken. Use "in their efforts" when you want to highlight the individual actions taken to achieve a goal rather than the overall try.