"attempt to do sth."是英语中表示“尝试做某事;试图做某事”的常用短语,强调为完成一件有难度、挑战性或需要努力的事而采取行动,通常隐含“结果不确定(可能成功,也可能失败)”的意味。
相比更口语化的"try to do sth.","attempt"更正式,多用于书面语、正式场合或描述较严肃的尝试。
"attempt"既可以作动词,也可以作名词,对应的搭配和用法不同:
"attempt"是及物动词,后面直接跟不定式(to + 动词原形)作宾语,表示“尝试/试图做某事”。
结构:主语 + attempt(s) + to do sth. 例句:He attempted to climb the highest mountain in the region but turned back due to bad weather.
(他试图攀登该地区最高的山,但因天气恶劣而返回。)
The company is attempting to develop a new type of electric car.
(这家公司正试图研发一种新型电动汽车。)
She didn’t attempt to hide her anger when she heard the news.
(听到这个消息时,她没有试图掩饰自己的愤怒。)
当"attempt"作名词时,常见搭配是"make an attempt to do sth."(或"make an attempt at doing sth.",后者较少见),表示“进行尝试”的具体行为。
结构:make + (a/an + 形容词) + attempt + to do sth. 例句:The team made an unsuccessful attempt to win the championship.
(该队试图赢得冠军,但未成功。)
I made a bold attempt to speak in front of 500 people.
(我大胆尝试在500人面前演讲。)
He made an attempt at learning Japanese, but gave up after a month.
(他尝试学日语,但一个月后就放弃了。)
不能接动名词:当"attempt"作动词时,后面只能跟不定式(to do),不能跟动名词(doing)。
❌ 错误:He attempted climbing the mountain.
✅ 正确:He attempted to climb the mountain.
强调“动作”而非“结果”:"attempt to do sth."重点在“尝试”的行为本身,无论最终是否成功。
(若要强调“成功”,可改用"manage to do sth.";若强调“努力但失败”,可加"but failed"等补充。)
被动语态:若要表达“某事被尝试”,常用名词形式的被动:
An attempt was made to rescue the trapped hikers.
(人们试图营救被困的徒步旅行者。)
短语 | 语气/正式度 | 侧重点 | 例句 |
---|---|---|---|
attempt to do | 更正式 | 强调“有难度的尝试” | The scientist attempted to prove his theory.(科学家试图证明他的理论。) |
try to do | 更口语 | 普通的“尝试”,无特别难度 | I’ll try to finish the report tonight.(我今晚尽量完成报告。) |
综上,"attempt to do sth."是表达“尝试有难度的事”的正式短语,核心是“为完成目标付出努力”,无论是动词还是名词用法,都围绕这一含义展开。