What Separates an Attempt From a Success
To attempt something is to try to do it, with no promise that it works. As a noun, an attempt is the effort itself — which is why records, robberies and rescues are all counted in attempts.
Attempt is both verb and noun. As a verb it means to try, usually with a hint of difficulty ahead. As a noun it names the single effort. The word carries no verdict: an attempt can succeed, fail, or be abandoned halfway.
- To try to do something. *He attempted the climb alone.*
- An effort or try (noun). *Her third attempt broke the record.*
- An act aimed at something forbidden. *An attempt on the president's life.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | attempt | Do not attempt this at home. |
| Past | attempted | They attempted a rescue. |
| Noun | attempt | A brave attempt. |
| Adjective | attempted | Attempted burglary. |
| Negative | unattempted | Two questions were left unattempted. |
How it is used in a sentence
- She attempted to explain, but nobody listened.Attempt to plus a verb is the standard pattern.
- The pass was his first attempt of the match.Countable noun — attempts can be numbered.
- He was charged with attempted murder.In law, attempted names a crime that did not reach its result.
Attempt, try, endeavour and strive
- Attempt — formal, and often used when failure is possible
- Try — the everyday word, lighter in tone
- Endeavour — formal and sustained, suggesting a serious project
- Strive — long effort against resistance, rarely a single act
From Old French *atempter*, from Latin *attemptare*, to try or to attack. The sense of attack survives in *an attempt on his life*, where the word still means something closer to assault than to effort.
Attempt to or attempt at?
The verb takes *to*: *attempt to open it*. The noun takes *at*: *an attempt at humour*.
Is attempt more formal than try?
Yes. In speech people try; in reports, laws and instructions they attempt.