中文译为:试图做某事;为了尝试做某事
强调“为实现某个目标而进行尝试性努力”的动作,隐含“结果不确定(可能成功,也可能失败)”的语义。
该短语是介词短语,通常作目的状语,修饰整个句子或谓语动词,说明动作的动机/目的。
基本结构:`in an attempt to + 动词原形`("to" 是不定式符号,后接动词原形);
可扩展:"attempt" 前可加形容词修饰,强调尝试的性质(如“拼命的、大胆的、失败的”等)。
句中(最常见):置于谓语动词之后,说明动作的目的;
例:He studied day and night in an attempt to pass the bar exam.(他没日没夜学习,试图通过律师资格考试。)
句首:用逗号隔开,突出目的;
例:In an attempt to reduce traffic congestion, the city introduced a new subway line.(为了尝试缓解交通拥堵,该市开通了一条新地铁线。)
通过添加形容词,可更精准地描述“尝试”的状态:
`in a desperate attempt to`:拼命试图;
例:She sold her jewelry in a desperate attempt to pay her medical bills.(她变卖珠宝,拼命试图支付医药费。)
`in a bold attempt to`:大胆试图;
例:The startup launched a risky product in a bold attempt to disrupt the market.(这家初创公司推出一款高风险产品,大胆试图颠覆市场。)
`in a failed attempt to`:试图…但失败;
例:The thief broke into the museum in a failed attempt to steal the painting.(小偷闯入博物馆,试图偷那幅画但失败了。)
vs. in order to:
"in order to" 更强调“明确的目的”,结果偏向“预期成功”;而 "in an attempt to" 侧重“尝试的过程”,结果不确定。
例:
He went to the store in order to buy milk.(他去商店是为了买牛奶→ 大概率买到。)
He went to the store in an attempt to buy milk.(他去商店试图买牛奶→ 可能没货,没买到。)
vs. try to do sth.:
"try to do sth." 是动词短语(作谓语),直接表示“尝试做”;而 "in an attempt to" 是介词短语(作状语),更正式,多用于书面语或严肃语境。
"in an attempt to do sth." 是表达“尝试性目的”的常用短语,核心是“为了某目标而努力尝试”,重点在“尝试的动作”而非“必然的结果”。通过调整位置和添加形容词,可适应不同语境的表达需求。