is attempting to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is attempting to' is correct and is commonly used in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that somebody is making an effort to do something. For example: Gary is attempting to complete the project before the deadline.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She is attempting to have it all.

Independent

David Cameron is attempting to rewrite history.

The Guardian

Rather, Colombia's civilian government is attempting to curtail political violence.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Unfortunately, hardly anybody is attempting to change that massive distortion.

The New York Times

McDonald's is attempting to expand delivery in America.  5.

Independent

The government is attempting to push through on 457 visas.

The Guardian

The newer BostonNOW is attempting to do the same thing.

The Economist

The firm is attempting to avoid ratings downgrades while recapitalising.

The Economist

Hanoi is attempting to modernise its Soviet-style banking system.

The Economist

Prentis said: "David Cameron is attempting to rewrite history.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Nameberry is attempting to answer this question.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is attempting to" when you want to clearly state that someone or something is making a deliberate effort to achieve a specific goal, even if the outcome is uncertain.

Common error

While "is attempting to" is perfectly acceptable, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "trying", "aiming", or "seeking" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is attempting to" functions as a progressive verb phrase, indicating an ongoing effort or process. It connects a subject with an action they are currently engaged in, aiming towards a specific outcome. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is attempting to" is a grammatically sound and very common way to express an ongoing effort or intention. As validated by Ludwig, it functions as a progressive verb phrase, suitable for various contexts ranging from news and media to academic writing. While perfectly acceptable, varying your language with synonyms can prevent overuse. "Is attempting to" indicates that someone or something is in the process of trying to achieve a particular goal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is trying to

Uses a more common synonym for 'attempting', implying a general effort.

is aiming to

Focuses on the goal or objective, suggesting a planned effort.

is endeavoring to

Implies a more formal and earnest effort.

is striving to

Emphasizes the effort and struggle involved.

is seeking to

Highlights the act of searching or pursuing a specific outcome.

is working to

Suggests ongoing effort and activity towards a goal.

is planning to

Indicates a preparatory stage and intention to act.

is looking to

Similar to 'aiming to' but with a slightly less formal tone.

is hoping to

Conveys a desire or wish for a particular outcome.

is undertaking to

Suggests taking on a formal or significant responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "is attempting to" in a sentence?

Use "is attempting to" to indicate someone's effort to achieve something, for example: "The scientist "is attempting to" find a cure for the disease".

What are some alternatives to "is attempting to"?

You can use alternatives such as "is trying to", "is aiming to", or "is seeking to" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "is attempting to" or "is trying to"?

"Is attempting to" is slightly more formal than "is trying to". The best choice depends on the tone and audience of your writing.

What's the difference between "is attempting to" and "is succeeding in"?

"Is attempting to" indicates an effort in progress, while "is succeeding in" suggests a successful outcome. The first describes the process, the second, the result.