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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Attempt Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：try or strive (attempt)

attempt 🔊

/əˈtempt/

n./v.

To try to do something, especially something new or difficult, often without knowing if you will succeed.

Attempt illustrated by a determined climber reaching for a hold, symbolizing effort and striving.

try or strive 🔊

➕

/traɪ ɔːr straɪv/

n./v.

The action of making an effort to do something, especially something challenging or novel.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'attemptare' (to try), from 'ad-' (to) + 'temptare' (to test, handle).

💡 Mnemonic

An attempt is when you ATTack a TEMPTable challenge with effort.

📖 Example

Despite feeling nervous, she decided to attempt to learn a new language on her own. 🔊 Despite feeling nervous, she decided to try to learn a new language on her own.

🔗 Collocations

attempt to do something – To make an effort to achieve a specific action

attempt the impossible – To try something extremely difficult or unlikely to succeed

attempt an escape – To try to get away from a confining situation

🔄 Synonyms

endeavor (v.) – To try hard to do or achieve something, often with earnest effort.

strive (v.) – To make great efforts towards a goal.

undertake (v.) – To commit oneself to and begin (a task or project).

🚫 Antonyms

abandon (v.) – To give up completely on a course of action or goal.

neglect (v.) – To fail to care for or pay attention to something that requires effort.

🌱 Derivatives

attempted (adj.) – Having tried to do something, especially used in legal contexts (e.g., attempted theft).

attemptable (adj.) – Capable of being tried or undertaken.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'attemptare', meaning 'to try' or 'to test'. It entered English via Old French 'atempter' in the late 14th century. In modern legal contexts, 'attempted murder' or 'attempted robbery' are distinct, serious charges.

Meaning 2：an effort or try (attempt)

attempt 🔊

/əˈtempt/

n./v.

An effort or act of trying to do something that is challenging or new.

Attempt concept shown through finished mug vs raw clay, representing the process of trying.

an effort or try 🔊

➕

/ən ˈefərt ɔːr traɪ/

n./v.

The act or instance of trying to achieve something, often involving challenge or uncertainty.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Her first attempt at baking a cake was surprisingly successful and tasted delicious. 🔊 Her first try at baking a cake was surprisingly successful and tasted delicious.

🔗 Collocations

make an attempt – To undertake an effort to do something

first attempt – The initial effort at doing something

an attempt on someone's life – A deliberate effort to kill someone

🔄 Synonyms

effort (n.) – A vigorous or determined attempt.

try (n.) – An attempt to do something.

endeavor (n.) – A serious and determined effort.

🚫 Antonyms

success (n.) – The accomplishment of an aim or purpose, the opposite of an attempt which may fail.

abandonment (n.) – The act of giving up on an action or goal.