attempts

IPA/əˈtempt/

KK[ətˈɛmpts]IPA/əˈtempt/

attemptspresent simple I / you / we / they
attemptses3rd person singular
attemptsing-ing form
attemptsedpast simple

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1

Definition

when you make a deliberate effort to achieve a goal, especially one that is hard to reach.

Example

The young climber attempted to reach the top of the mountain before dark.

attempt + to-infinitive for effort toward a goal

Wei attempted a difficult jump during the figure skating competition.

attempt + noun phrase (direct object)

Common collocations

attempt + to-infinitive
attempt + noun phrase
attempt + at + noun phrase (less common)

Synonyms

try
more common in everyday speech; 'attempt' sounds more deliberate or formal
strive
suggests strong effort and determination over time
endeavour
formal and often used in writing, especially British English
undertake
focuses on starting a task or responsibility rather than the effort involved

Antonyms

abandon
to give up before or during an attempt
neglect
to fail to try when you should have

Grammar Patterns

attempt + noun phrase

attempt + to-infinitive

Usage Note

Commonly followed by a to-infinitive. The direct object with a noun phrase is also frequent but slightly more formal.

Common Mistakes

I attempted to sleep but the noise kept me awake.

I tried to sleep but the noise kept me awake.

For everyday, simple situations, use 'try'; 'attempt' is more appropriate for difficult or serious efforts.

attemptssingular
attemptsesplural

1.nounB2

Definition

a situation in which someone makes an effort to accomplish a difficult task, without knowing whether they will manage it.

Example

After three failed attempts, Femi finally passed his driving test.

countable noun with number: three attempts

Her attempt to bake a birthday cake for her brother ended with a smoky kitchen.

attempt + to-infinitive

Common collocations

make an attempt
attempt + to-infinitive
attempt + at + noun/gerund
first/last/failed attempt

Synonyms

try
less formal; 'give it a try' is everyday language
effort
emphasises the energy or work put in
endeavour
formal; suggests a serious, sustained effort

Antonyms

abandonment
the act of giving up

Grammar Patterns

attempt + at + noun phrase

attempt + to-infinitive

Usage Note

This is the most common noun sense. Frequently used in the pattern 'make an attempt to do something' or 'in a/an attempt to do something'.

Common Mistakes

I made an attempt learning Spanish.

I made an attempt to learn Spanish.' or 'I made an attempt at learning Spanish.

Use 'to-infinitive' or 'at + gerund', not a bare gerund.

2.nounB2

Definition

used to explain the purpose of an action — meaning 'in order to try to achieve something'.

Example

Theo called a meeting in an attempt to settle the argument between the two teams.

in an attempt + to-infinitive

The chef added more spices in an attempt to make the dish taste more authentic.

Common collocations

in an attempt to + verb

Synonyms

in order to
more neutral and slightly less formal
so as to
similar meaning, slightly more formal
in an effort to
interchangeable with this sense

Grammar Patterns

in an attempt + to-infinitive

Usage Note

This sense only appears in the fixed phrase 'in an attempt to + verb'. It does not combine with 'at' or take a direct object. Do not confuse with sense 1 (act of trying); here the focus is on the purpose, not the effort itself.

3.nounC1

Definition

a situation where someone deliberately tries to end another person's life, especially a famous or important one.

Example

The politician survived an attempt on his life when a gunman opened fire near the stadium.

attempt on + possessive + life

Police arrested two suspects in connection with the attempt on the judge's life.

attempt on + noun's + life

Common collocations

attempt on someone's life
survive an attempt
foil/prevent an attempt

Synonyms

assassination attempt
specifically targets a political or public figure
murder attempt
broader; does not imply a public figure

Grammar Patterns

attempt + on + possessive + life

Usage Note

Almost always used with 'on' followed by a person or possessive + 'life'. The phrase 'attempt on someone's life' is a fixed collocation. Distinguish from sense 1, which covers all types of trying; this sense is specific to killing.

Common Mistakes

There was an attempt to kill the president.' (vague)

There was an attempt on the president's life.

The fixed phrase 'attempt on X's life' is the standard way to express this.

4.nounB2

Definition

an action in a game where a player tries to score points, such as kicking or heading the ball toward the goal, or throwing it toward the basket.

Example

The striker's attempt at goal was saved by the goalkeeper at the last second.

attempt at goal (football/soccer)

Daichi made three attempts to score but missed the basket each time.

attempt + to-infinitive (basketball)

Common collocations

attempt at goal
scoring attempt
attempt on goal
rushing attempt

Synonyms

shot
specifically a kick or throw aimed at the goal or basket
try
used in rugby for scoring a try; more general in other sports

Grammar Patterns

attempt + at + goal/net/basket

Usage Note

Used across many sports. In American football, 'rushing attempt' refers to an effort to carry the ball forward. The preposition 'at' (attempt at goal) is common in football and rugby.

Word family

attempt
verbB1
attempt
nounB2
attempted
adjectiveB2
attempting
verbB1
attempter
nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words involve making an effort, but they differ in formality and intensity. 'Try' is the most common and neutral choice for everyday situations — you try a new recipe or try to open a jar. 'Attempt' is more deliberate and often implies difficulty: 'She attempted the exam even though she was sick.' 'Strive' adds strong, sustained effort over time, usually toward an important goal: 'The organisation strives to end poverty.' 'Endeavour' is formal and suggests a serious, long-term undertaking, common in British English writing: 'We endeavour to provide the best service.' 'Undertake' focuses on starting a task or taking responsibility, not on the effort itself: 'He undertook the project without any prior experience.' For everyday English, learners should master 'try' and 'attempt' first.

try ↗strive ↗endeavour ↗undertake ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

attempt + to-infinitive

Adverbs

Phrases

make an attempt
in an attempt to

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'attempt' entered English from Old French 'atempter' in the 14th century. The French verb came from Latin 'attemptare', a combination of 'ad-' (toward) and 'temptare' (to try, test, or handle). The original Latin sense was 'to test or try out', which developed into the modern meaning of making an effort toward a goal. The noun form appeared in the 16th century, and the specialised senses (killing attempt, sports attempt) developed in the 19th and 20th centuries.

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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attempts

attempts — verb

1. when you make a deliberate effort to achieve a goal, especially one that is hard

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

attempts — noun

1. a situation in which someone makes an effort to accomplish a difficult task, wit

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. used to explain the purpose of an action — meaning 'in order to try to achieve s

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

3. a situation where someone deliberately tries to end another person's life, espec

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

4. an action in a game where a player tries to score points, such as kicking or hea

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

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