attempt to or attempt at?

BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

This topic has expert replies

Post new topic Locked

Previous Topic Next Topic

ketkoag: Legendary Member; Posts: 876; Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:14 am; Thanked: 13 times

attempt to or attempt at?

by ketkoag » Tue Jul 14, 2009 10:31 am

please lemme know whether 'attempt at' is correct or 'attempt to' .
i've seen questions in which both are correct..i mean some ques in which one is correct and some in which other one is.
i'm searching for those 2 questions and will post them asap..

Quote

Source: Beat The GMAT — Sentence Correction | Tue Jul 14, 2009 10:31 am

scoobydooby: Legendary Member; Posts: 1035; Joined: Wed Aug 27, 2008 10:56 pm; Thanked: 104 times; Followed by:1 members

by scoobydooby » Tue Jul 14, 2009 10:48 am

yes both are correct.

"attempt at" must be follwed by a noun
"attempt to" must be followed a verb/action

Last edited by scoobydooby on Tue Jul 14, 2009 10:49 am, edited 1 time in total.

Quote

btg760: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 33; Joined: Sun May 03, 2009 7:12 am; Thanked: 6 times

by btg760 » Tue Jul 14, 2009 10:49 am

When "Attempt" is used as a VERB then go for "Attempt to"

He attempted to kill somebody.

And if "attempt" is use as a NOUN then go for required preposition.

He made an attempt on Gracy.
It's my first attempt at GMAT.

Note: In some cases, "Attempt to" can also be used when attempt is used as noun.

He made an attempt to kill somebody.

So the key is, when attempt is followed by some action then go for "attempt to"

i.e. Attempt + infinitive form of verb.

But if attempt is followed by anything except action then go for any preposition except using "to".

HTH...