we attempted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we attempted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that was attempted but not necessarily succeeded at. For example, "We attempted to climb the mountain, but the snow was too deep and slippery."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We attempted to contact 4209 patients and reached 1576.

Cardiovascular Diabetology

We attempted isolation.

The New York Times

We attempted less-than-lethal.

The New York Times

Then, for a while, we attempted bargaining.

The New Yorker

We attempted to verify the claims of Mr. Qaissi thoroughly.

The New York Times

The question there was I think we attempted too much".

The New York Times

We attempted to dissect the articles for insight.

The New Yorker

We attempted to contact his family but had no luck.

The Guardian

We attempted to locate ourselves in an unfamiliar place.

The New York Times - Sports

"We attempted to make several contacts," he said.

The New York Times

After many test runs, we attempted our first expedition.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we attempted" when you want to convey that an effort was made, regardless of the outcome. This acknowledges the action taken, even if it was not successful.

Common error

While "we attempted" is neutral, be mindful of the surrounding context. If the attempt was unsuccessful, consider adding information about why, or what was learned. Otherwise, readers may interpret it negatively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we attempted" functions as a finite verb phrase. It expresses a completed action of trying to do something. Ludwig confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we attempted" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase to indicate that an effort was made. As Ludwig highlights, its neutral tone makes it suitable for various contexts, including scientific reports and news articles. While it conveys the act of trying, it doesn't specify the outcome, so providing additional information about the results or the reasons behind any failure can enhance clarity. Consider using alternative phrases like "we tried" or "we endeavored" for subtle variations in meaning or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we tried

Emphasizes the act of trying, potentially implying a lack of success.

we endeavored

A more formal and literary alternative, suggesting a serious or determined effort.

we sought

Implies a deliberate search or pursuit of a specific goal.

we aimed

Focuses on the intention or goal that was set.

we strived

Suggests a strenuous effort or struggle to achieve something.

we undertook

Indicates that a task or project was initiated and engaged with.

we set out

Emphasizes the beginning of a journey or task with a specific intention.

we aspired

Suggests a strong desire or ambition to achieve a particular outcome.

we purposed

Similar to 'aimed', but can also imply a firm resolution or intention.

we proposed

Indicates suggesting a plan or idea, not necessarily implying an action.

FAQs

What is a good sentence example of "we attempted"?

Here's an example: "We attempted to contact the client three times, but received no response."

What can I say instead of "we attempted"?

You can use alternatives like "we tried", "we endeavored", or "we sought depending on the context.

Is "we attempted" formal or informal?

The phrase "we attempted" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though alternatives like "we endeavored" are more formal.

What does "we attempted" imply about the outcome?

Using "we attempted" suggests that an effort was made, but doesn't explicitly state whether it was successful. Further context is needed to determine the result.