let me attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "let me attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express your intention to try or make an effort to do something. Example: "Let me attempt to solve this problem before we ask for help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Let me attempt to convey Agüero's part in all this.

The New York Times - Sports

In the spirit of public service, let me attempt an answer.

The Guardian - Opinion

Reihan Salam had a lengthy response to this at the time; let me attempt a (slightly) shorter one.

The New York Times

Let me attempt to set forth some compass points or principles that influenced my engagement and helped to account for the tacks we took.

Yale University

Let me attempt an explanation of how my own thinking, as a political leader, has evolved during these past few years.

The Guardian

(And let me attempt it with a quiet bow of the head in the direction of the now, sadly, late Wilfrid Sheed, writer of critical prose of matchless bounce and point, who loved football and all the absurdities of fandom).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

And what's the deal with only letting me attempt one pickoff per inning?

TechCrunch

Let me briefly attempt to point out how much goes unaccounted for, phenomenologically speaking, when one fails to ground time in age, or to derive the former from the latter.

University of Chicago

The opposing lawyer's attempt, "Let me remind you, it was a very brief marriage," backfired.

Huffington Post

"Let me respond," she said repeatedly, attempting to cut into questions.

The New York Times

Having read "Mr. Right, It Turns Out, Does Not Take Classes," by Stephanie Rosenbloom (Thursday Styles, May 17), let me say that after years attempting to meet decent men in Manhattan through activities and classes, it finally dawned on me where the single, gainfully employed are: having a late and hasty pizza dinner at the local joint.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "let me attempt" when you want to politely and formally offer to try something, especially when the task might be challenging.

Common error

Avoid using "let me attempt" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler phrases like "let me try" or "i'll give it a shot" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "let me attempt" primarily functions as a polite and somewhat formal offer to undertake a task. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it conveys a willingness to try, often implying the task may be challenging. It's a performative utterance, where the act of saying it expresses intention.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "let me attempt" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for offering to try something, particularly when the task may be difficult. According to Ludwig, it is more formal than a simple "let me try" and often used in News & Media and Academia. When you want to convey a willingness to try and acknowledge the potential challenge of the task, it’s the perfect option. Consider alternatives like "allow me to try" in more formal contexts or "i'll give it a shot" in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allow me to try

Replaces "let" with "allow", offering a slightly more formal tone.

permit me to try

Similar to "allow me to try", this phrase adds a touch of formality.

let me try

Simplifies the phrase by removing "attempt", focusing solely on the act of trying.

i'll give it a shot

An informal way to express the intention to try something.

i'll take a stab at it

Similar to "i'll give it a shot", indicating an attempt to do something.

let me have a go

Offers to try something, commonly used in British English.

allow me to demonstrate

Emphasizes showing how something is done, moving beyond just trying.

let me see if i can

Indicates uncertainty about succeeding while still offering to try.

i'd like to try

Expresses a desire to attempt something.

let me undertake

Replaces "attempt" with "undertake", creating a more formal and serious tone.

FAQs

How can I use "let me attempt" in a sentence?

"Let me attempt" is used to express your intention to try something, especially when the task is perceived as difficult or requiring some effort. For example, "Let me attempt to fix this before calling a technician".

What can I say instead of "let me attempt"?

You can use alternatives like "allow me to try", "let me try", or "i'll give it a shot" depending on the context.

Is "let me attempt" formal or informal?

"Let me attempt" is considered more formal. In informal situations, consider using alternatives like "let me try".

What's the difference between "let me try" and "let me attempt"?

"Let me try" is a general offer to try something. "Let me attempt" suggests that the task is difficult and requires significant effort. Using "let me attempt" indicates a more considered and potentially challenging endeavor.