made attempts to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made attempts to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate when someone has been making an effort to do something. For example, "The company has made attempts to increase efficiency in its production processes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They have captured Harawah, made attempts to take Misrata and continue to spread across the country.

Independent

But they have also made attempts to highlight and even resist them.

The New York Times - Books

The ANC had made attempts to provide for men such as Mr Tangasha in Tumahole.

Independent

In fairness to Nick Clegg he has made attempts to reclaim the reformist crown.

The Guardian - Opinion

Several refugees said Shamshiripour had recently made attempts to commit suicide.

The Guardian

Although rescue efforts are underway, aftershocks and cold weather have made attempts to help victims difficult.

The Washington Post

Bedi made attempts to smooth things with Lever the following summer and thereafter.

The Guardian - Sport

They made attempts to bring him in as an official employee, efforts which apparently stalled.

The Guardian - Sport

In recent years governments have made attempts to "soften" the landing by offering leaving care programs.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Guardian understands Fraser has since made attempts to change his name to Kris Tolmie.

The Guardian - Sport

In this chapter we made attempts to discuss the applications of polymers in various biomedical applications particularly therapeutics.

Emerging Nanotechnologies for Diagnostics, Drug Delivery and Medical Devices

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made attempts to" when you want to clearly state that someone has tried to do something, but you don't necessarily need to emphasize the success or failure of that attempt. It's a neutral way to introduce the idea of effort.

Common error

Avoid using "made attempts to" excessively in passive constructions. For instance, instead of "Attempts were made to contact him", write "They made attempts to contact him" for a more direct and active voice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made attempts to" functions as a verbal phrase that introduces an action that someone has undertaken. It indicates an effort or series of efforts towards a specific goal, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples across news, science, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

35%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "made attempts to" is a versatile and frequently used expression to indicate that someone has tried to do something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. Its prevalence in News & Media and Science highlights its neutrality and utility in formally documenting actions taken, regardless of their success. While alternatives such as "tried to" and "endeavored to" exist, "made attempts to" provides a balanced option for clear and professional communication. When writing, ensure that you are not overusing passive voice constructions, and vary your phrasing by using alternatives when possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tried to

A more concise and direct way of saying someone made an effort.

made an effort to

A slightly more verbose but clear alternative.

endeavored to

Implies a more formal and earnest attempt.

sought to

Suggests a deliberate and purposeful attempt.

aimed to

Focuses on the intention or goal of the attempt.

strived to

Highlights the effort and determination involved in the attempt.

undertook to

Indicates a commitment to make an attempt.

took steps to

Emphasizes the actions taken to achieve something.

pursued

Suggests a determined and ongoing effort to achieve a goal.

worked towards

Indicates a sustained effort over time.

FAQs

How can I use "made attempts to" in a sentence?

Use "made attempts to" to indicate that someone has tried to do something. For example, "The company "made attempts to" improve its customer service."

What are some alternatives to "made attempts to"?

Alternatives include "tried to", "endeavored to", or "sought to", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it better to say "made an attempt to" or "made attempts to"?

"Made an attempt to" suggests a single effort, while ""made attempts to"" indicates multiple efforts. The choice depends on whether one or more tries were made.

When should I use "tried to" instead of "made attempts to"?

Use "tried to" for a more concise and informal tone. "Made attempts to" is suitable in situations calling for a slightly more formal expression, where you want to highlight the effort exerted, regardless of outcome.