try to undertake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try to undertake" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when expressing an attempt to begin or take on a task or responsibility, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "I will try to undertake the project, but I need more resources to succeed."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Terrorists, some believe, might try to undertake an attack that could be credibly portrayed as a result of the Iraq war, rather than as a 9/11 replay.

The New York Times

Administration officials say that the king listened when President Obama asked him to pull back his security forces at the start of the protests, when seven demonstrators were killed, and has earned the administration's support to try to undertake reform on his own.

The New York Times

Carne said he agreed with the transport secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, that the industry should conduct a wider review into whether it is wise to try to undertake so much engineering work in the Christmas or Easter period on the basis that fewer people travel during those times.

The Guardian - Business

"Every time publicly elected officials in the state of Israel try to undertake the task they were given in the most democratic and legitimate way by the people, we encounter an automatic smear campaign by 'people of culture' who try to paint themselves as enlightened, as progressive and as 'knowing better' than the public".

The Guardian

Furthermore, there are always external constraints on the range of options we can meaningfully try to undertake.

SEP

Never try to undertake such a task after a long day of work if you can help it.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Updated at 12.19pm GMT 12.15pm GMT Let's look at that again... oh dear Christie looked to have caused that crash by trying to undertake on the inside.

The Guardian - Sport

But his parliamentary strength collapsed abruptly in the 1997 elections, ominously after Mr. Chirac tried to undertake the same economic reforms that he is again promising today.

The New York Times

Indonesia has tried to undertake some difficult overhauls this summer, most notably raising retail gasoline prices in June to limit government subsidies for the country's millions of drivers.

The New York Times

I believe in that time period we immediately tried to undertake a way to figure out how to help the F.B.I. get data and deal with this particular problem.

The New York Times

It's great that the administration is trying to undertake reforms, but if we want to make sure all children learn, we will need to overhaul the curriculum itself.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for stronger verbs like "attempt", "strive", or "endeavor" in place of "try to undertake" for more concise and impactful writing.

Common error

Avoid combining "try" with other verbs that already imply effort. Instead of "try to undertake", use "undertake" or "attempt" for a more direct and effective statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to undertake" functions as a verb phrase indicating an effort or attempt to begin or engage in a particular task or project. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct, the examples show it being used to discuss actions from undertaking reforms to attacking.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "try to undertake" is used to describe an attempt to start or engage in a task. While grammatically sound, Ludwig AI suggests the phrase can be redundant; alternatives like "attempt", "endeavor", or simply "undertake" often create more concise writing. Common in News & Media and Science, it presents a neutral register. Simplify your writing by opting for stronger verbs, avoiding the slight redundancy of "try to undertake". In conclusion, while correct, "try to undertake" benefits from careful consideration of context and more direct alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to perform

Focuses on the act of attempting, with 'perform' emphasizing execution.

endeavor to execute

'Endeavor' suggests a serious and determined effort, and 'execute' implies a more planned and deliberate approach.

seek to accomplish

'Seek' implies a deliberate pursuit, and 'accomplish' focuses on achieving a specific goal.

strive to achieve

'Strive' emphasizes effort and struggle, and 'achieve' highlights the successful attainment of a result.

aim to carry out

'Aim' suggests a directed intention, and 'carry out' focuses on the practical execution of a plan.

make an effort to do

A more general and less formal way of expressing an attempt.

take steps to enact

Implies concrete actions are being taken to bring something into effect.

work towards completing

Focuses on the process of working toward a final completion.

set out to do

Suggests a clear and intentional beginning to an action.

give it a shot to achieve

Informal, emphasizing a casual attempt or chance.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "try to undertake"?

You can use alternatives like "attempt to perform", "endeavor to execute", or "seek to accomplish" depending on the context.

Is "try to undertake" grammatically correct?

Yes, "try to undertake" is grammatically correct, but it may sound slightly redundant. Using a single verb like "attempt" or "endeavor" can often be more concise.

How to use "try to undertake" in a sentence?

You can use "try to undertake" when expressing an attempt to begin or take on a task or responsibility. For example, "They will try to undertake the project despite the challenges."

What's the difference between "try to undertake" and "attempt to undertake"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "attempt to undertake" might be slightly more formal. However, both can often be simplified to just "undertake" or "attempt" without losing meaning.