"attempt on" vs "Attempt at"

Question

"attempt on" vs "Attempt at"

Both 'attempt at' and 'attempt on' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Attempt at' is used when referring to trying to do something, while 'attempt on' is used when referring to trying to harm or attack someone or something.

Last Updated: March 20, 2024

This phrase is used when referring to trying to harm or attack someone or something. For example, 'There was an attempt on the president's life.'

Examples:

There was an attempt on his life.
The burglars made an attempt on breaking into the house.
The terrorists made an attempt on the city's infrastructure.
The hackers made an attempt on the company's database.
The vandals made an attempt on the historical monument.

Alternatives:

attack on
assault on
strike on
offensive on
effort to harm

Attempt at is used to indicate an action of some sort has been or will be tried.

Explanation provided by a TextRanch English expert

Some examples from our editors:

My first attempt at art.
My attempt at making pasta was a flop.
My attempt at kissing her on the lips resulted in a slap across my face.

Some alternatives from our editors:

Try at
Effort at
Endeavor at
Shot at

Answer 1

attempt on

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Answer 2

Attempt at

This is correct

"attempt on" vs "Attempt at"

attempt on

Attempt at

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