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Carlos Grande
To attempt = To try ?
Is there any difference between 'to attempt' and 'to try' ?
Thank yo so much in advance!!
9 de ene. de 2017 11:36
Respuestas · 4
1
One sense of the verb 'to try' encompasses the meaning of 'to attempt' - in that way, they are sometimes able to have the same meaning! You'll need to use context to establish whether this is the case, but 'to try' is used in that sense very often in English!
9 de enero de 2017
There is a difference for some things. To try TO DO something is the same as to attempt DOING something, but there are other ways in which it doesn't work:
Correct: I tried to build a house of cards, but it fell over. <-- sounds most natural
Correct: I attempted building a house of cards, but it fell over. <-- sounds a bit weird/formal, but it is still OK.
Correct: I tried some of the apple pie, but it tasted horrible!
Incorrect: I attempted some of the apple pie. <-- They are not synonyms when it comes to 'to try' as a verb for tasting things.
Correct: I attempted a recipe I saw in a book. <-- Here, even though we're using a noun, an action is implied, You're trying to COOK a recipe or to MAKE a recipe.
Correct: I tried (out) a recipe I saw in a book.
In the examples above, the last one sounds most natural for 'attempt' because the *feeling* of 'to attempt' is that the task/project/outcome you're trying to achieve is particularly difficult or the chances of success are a bit lower. It also sounds most natural to use 'attempt' with a noun, even though you can technically use it with a verb.
Short version: If you're not sure, use "to try"!
9 de enero de 2017
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Carlos Grande
Competencias lingüísticas
Inglés, Español
Idioma de aprendizaje
Inglés
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