trying to attain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trying to attain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing efforts or attempts to achieve a specific goal or objective. Example: "She is trying to attain her dream of becoming a professional musician."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

That's what we're trying to attain.

The Guardian - Sport

We've got a lot of goals in front of us and things we're trying to attain.

The New York Times - Sports

At 62, Johnson is trying to attain his first general manager's job.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was trying to attain something, but too much thought was going into it.

The New York Times - Arts

Was I trying to attain perfection through contemplation and mortification, as did the 16th-century mystic St. Teresa of Avila?

The New York Times - Magazine

For I don't know how long, I have literally starved myself trying to attain a body image that bears no relation to how men actually are.

The New Yorker

All agree that trying to attain it is going to be very costly.This is in part because Britain's renewable of choice is often offshore wind power.

The Economist

The list of contenders even includes two teams, the Pirates and the Orioles, that are trying to attain their first winning seasons since the Internet became mainstream.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Mao Zedong tried to attain them through Marxism.

The Economist

Sure, he yearned for literary greatness and tried to attain it.

The New York Times - Books

As part of the plan, Justice DiMango was brought in to try to attain guilty pleas.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a continuous or ongoing effort, use "trying to attain" to emphasize the active pursuit of a goal. For instance, "The company is "trying to attain" a larger market share".

Common error

While "trying to attain" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "striving to achieve" or "endeavoring to reach" to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trying to attain" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as the subject or part of the verb phrase within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, showcasing its role in expressing ongoing efforts toward achieving a goal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trying to attain" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the act of attempting to achieve a goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s usable across various contexts, although more formal alternatives exist for academic or professional writing. The phrase is frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki articles. When using "trying to attain", remember to consider your audience and context, opting for more sophisticated alternatives like "striving to achieve" or "endeavoring to reach" when appropriate. Despite the numerous sources and its natural sound of the phrase, it should be used carefully to increase the writing's quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeking to achieve

Replaces "trying" with "seeking", suggesting a more deliberate and focused effort.

attempting to reach

Substitutes "trying" with "attempting" and "attain" with "reach", offering a slightly more direct and less formal tone.

striving to accomplish

Uses "striving" to indicate a more vigorous and determined effort, while "accomplish" emphasizes the successful completion of a goal.

endeavoring to gain

Employs "endeavoring" for a more formal and ambitious tone, and "gain" to focus on acquiring something.

working towards achieving

Highlights the ongoing effort and progress involved in reaching a goal.

pursuing to obtain

Indicates a proactive and persistent effort to get hold of something.

aiming to secure

Suggests a strategic and focused effort to make something certain.

working to get

Provides a more informal and direct alternative to "trying to attain".

seeking to secure

It is similar to aiming but with seeking which is more deliberate.

planning to secure

Highlights strategic plans in getting a hold on something.

FAQs

What does "trying to attain" mean?

"Trying to attain" means making an effort to achieve or reach a specific goal. It indicates the process of working towards something desired.

What can I say instead of "trying to attain"?

You can use alternatives like "seeking to achieve", "attempting to reach", or "striving to accomplish depending on the context.

Is "trying to attain" formal or informal?

"Trying to attain" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or professional settings.

How to use "trying to attain" in a sentence?

You can use "trying to attain" in a sentence like this: "The student is "trying to attain" a better understanding of the subject".