Attempt

foil an attempt

Acting on information from the French, customs officials have foiled an attempt to smuggle a large quantity of heroin into the country.

abandon an attempt

Because of bad weather conditions, we were forced to abandon our attempt to reach the summit of Mt Everest.

make an attempt

I wonder what’s wrong with Andy. Last night he made a few half-hearted attempts to join in our conversation, and then he left early.

fail an attempt

All my attempts to start the car failed, so we ended up getting a taxi.

first attempt

I was pleased when I passed my driving test at the first attempt.

desperate attempt

The driver of the train died at the scene of the accident despite desperate attempts by the paramedics to revive him.

brave attempt

Despite falling and injuring his leg, Jim made a brave attempt to finish the marathon.

half-hearted attempt

I made a rather half-hearted attempt to apologise for my behavior, but it was obvious that I didn’t really mean it.

unsuccessful attempt

I’ve made several unsuccessful attempts to speak to the manager, but he is always ‘out of his office at the moment’.

repeated attempt

For two weeks the army made repeated attempts to break through enemy lines, all of which ended in failure.

final attempt

If the weather holds, the Chinese team are going to make a final attempt to reach the summit tomorrow.

deliberate attempt

The Foreign Secretary’s speech on the Gulf War was a deliberate attempt to embarrass the government.

desperate attempt

Two factories were closed in a desperate attempt to cut costs.

last-ditch attempt

Talks are taking place at this very moment in a last-ditch attempt to avert a strike.

ceasefire in an attempt

Politicians on both sides have called for a ceasefire in an attempt to prevent further bloodshed.

fail in an attempt

Anne’s very upset. I’m afraid I failed in my attempt to persuade her to come to the party.

latest attempt

He has succeeded in his latest attempt to break the world land speed record.

Notes   

Note the following passive structure:

• Several attempts have been made on the President’s life. (Somebody tried to kill him)

Note this example:

• She made no attempt to conceal/disguise/hide her anger.

Note these noun + noun collocations:

• The rescue attempts was hampered by fog.
• He received psychiatric help after his botched suicide attempt.