ENGLISH
REFERENCE

in an attempt to do sth

prep. phr..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford

prep. phr.. you use this when you explain that someone is doing something because they want to achieve a specific goal.

prep. phr.. a complex prepositional phrase used to express purpose or intention, typically introducing a subordinate clause or infinitive phrase that explains the motivation for an action.


SIMPLE

He stayed late in an attempt to finish the report.

CONTEXTUAL

The government lowered interest rates in an attempt to stimulate the struggling economy.

COMPLEX

The scientists conducted a series of high-pressure experiments in an attempt to replicate the conditions found at the Earth's core.

Usage

usually followed by an infinitive verb; more formal than simply using 'to' or 'so that'.

Teaching tip

encourage students to use this in formal writing to replace the simple 'to' of purpose; highlight that 'attempt' implies the outcome is not yet certain.

Pitfall

He ran fast in an attempt of winning.He ran fast in an attempt to win.the phrase must be followed by a 'to-infinitive' rather than 'of' plus a gerund.

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