Attempt at vs attempt on

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 • 997 views

Attempt at

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used when referring to trying to do something. For example, 'She made an attempt at solving the difficult puzzle.'

Some examples from our editors:

He made an attempt at climbing the mountain.
She made an attempt at learning a new language.
They made an attempt at fixing the broken machine.
The team made an attempt at winning the championship.
I made an attempt at baking a cake.

Show examples from the web [+]

If the next word isn't a verb, at is needed: It was my first attempt at it. No rule says you can't have at + gerund instead of the infinitive, but I think it's less common.
1) Charles Lindbergh, for his attempt at a solo transatlantic flight, was very reluctant to have any extra weight on his plane, he therefore refused to carry even a ...
They made no attempt to escape. attempt at something/at doing something The couple made an unsuccessful attempt at a compromise. 2 [countable] attempt (on ...
... driving test on the first attempt but she succeeded on her second attempt. Her attempt at a home-cooked meal consisted of frozen fish sticks and a can of soup.

Some alternatives from our editors:

try to
effort to
endeavor to
strive to
aim to

attempt on

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

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.

Show examples from the web [+]

So the attempt on his life...
I think the recent attempt on your life absolutely terrified you, and now you're questioning yourself.
The second attempt on Cyprus also failed.
Well, her last invitation Was an assassination attempt on all her children.
We're here to stop an attempt on the Ambassador's life.
Assassination attempt on the Minister of Trade.
The man responsible for the attempt on Marcus' life...
Visions of the attempt on your life in the Time Beyond.
An attempt on the life of the ex-Mayor.
This latest attempt on your life by one of Janero's men...
There was an attempt on Taktra Rinpoche's life.
So this shooting wasn't the first attempt on Judge Corsica's life.
Defendant Witek pleaded guilty of organising an attempt on your health.
The Emperor's recovering from an attempt on his life.
They might make another attempt on your life.
The attempt on oborin's life Has shaken everyone in the Russian diplomatic community.
The president was displeased by the attempt on his daughter's life.
There's been an attempt on the Queen's life.
He accused Sidonie of witchcraft and of an attempt on his life.
We're here to stop an attempt on the Ambassador's life.

Alternatives:

attack on
assault on
strike on
offensive on
effort to harm

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Attempt at vs attempt on

Attempt at

attempt on

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