making an attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

"making an attempt" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You may use it to describe someone's efforts in achieving a particular goal or to refer to an effort that is not successful. For example: John was making an attempt to climb the mountain, but he eventually gave up.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now the London-based Lindsay Lohan seems to be making an attempt to sound European.

The Guardian - Opinion

Osborne is making an attempt to occupy that ground from the right.

The Guardian - Opinion

Rather than making an attempt at fairness irrelevant, it seems to me it actually makes it more necessary.

The Guardian - Opinion

Before the advent of e-mail and the Web, some teachers were making an attempt to encourage peer critiques.

The New York Times - Tech

"He's making an attempt to uphold the principles of good governance and the freedom of the judiciary," he said.

The Guardian

"You see these birds and you see them making an attempt to try and nest, and being so discouraged.

The New York Times

Iain Duncan Smith accused Cameron of insincerity and making an attempt to deceive the public over EU immigration.

The Guardian

"When you fail, it is no good being angry," said Trapattoni, making an attempt to brush away the ignominy.

The Guardian - Sport

But making an attempt at casual that looks sloppy, not chic, can spell doom at the door.

The New York Times

Injuries to kickers may be rare, but Chicago seems to be making an attempt to send everyone to the trainer's room.

The New York Times

Emails between the former lovers two days prior to her making an attempt on her own life were read to the tribunal.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "making an attempt" with a 'to' infinitive phrase that specifies the purpose of the attempt, such as "making an attempt to improve" or "making an attempt to resolve".

Common error

While "making an attempt" is grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "trying to", "endeavoring to", or "striving to" for more engaging prose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making an attempt" functions as a verbal phrase, often acting as part of a larger verb construction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, showing its role in expressing action or intention. Example: "Osborne is making an attempt to occupy that ground from the right."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

30%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "making an attempt" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey the idea of trying or endeavoring to do something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific writing and general conversation. While versatile and acceptable, varying your language with synonyms like "trying to", "endeavoring to", or "striving to" can enhance your writing style. Remember to specify the purpose of the attempt to add clarity. With its neutral register and broad applicability, "making an attempt" remains a valuable tool for expressing intention and effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trying to

A more straightforward and general way of expressing effort.

aiming to

Focuses on the intention and goal of the effort.

striving to

Highlights continuous effort and ambition.

endeavoring to

Emphasizes a serious or determined effort.

seeking to

Suggests a focused and deliberate approach.

working towards

Implies ongoing effort with a specific goal in mind.

exerting effort to

Highlights the energy and resources being used to achieve something.

seeking to achieve

Specifically highlights that you are trying to accomplish a specific aim

giving it a shot

Represents an informal expression that indicates trying something, often when the outcome is uncertain.

taking a stab at

Suggests trying something without necessarily having a lot of skill or experience.

FAQs

How can I use "making an attempt" in a sentence?

You can use "making an attempt" to describe someone's effort to achieve something, such as "The company is making an attempt to reduce its carbon footprint" or "She is making an attempt to learn a new language".

What are some alternatives to "making an attempt"?

Alternatives to "making an attempt" include "trying to", "endeavoring to", "striving to", or "seeking to". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "making an attempt" or "making an effort"?

"Making an attempt" and "making an effort" are often interchangeable, but "making an attempt" typically implies a specific action or goal, while "making an effort" can be more general. For example, "making an attempt to fix the problem" versus "making an effort to be more helpful".

What does it mean when someone is "making an attempt"?

When someone is "making an attempt", it means they are trying to do something, often implying that the outcome is uncertain or that the task is challenging. It emphasizes the act of trying rather than the guarantee of success.