Cool MateAttempt vs Endeavour
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Attempt
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Endeavour
Top 5,000 (fairly common)C1noun
Most common: Attempt
| Attempt | Endeavour | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈtempt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈtempt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈdevə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈdevər/"]/ |
| Meaning | To try to do something. | To try hard to do something. |
| Example | Her attempt to climb the mountain was met with several challenges. | Their endeavour to improve community health was recognized by the local government. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | successful, abortive, botched, make, succeed in, abandon, succeed, fail, in an/the attempt, attempt at, attempt by, an attempt on somebody’s life, at the first, second, etc. attempt, in the first, second, etc. attempt, successful, abortive, botched, make, succeed in, abandon, succeed, fail, in an/the attempt, attempt at, attempt by, an attempt on somebody’s life, at the first, second, etc. attempt, in the first, second, etc. attempt | collaborative, collective, cooperative, make, pursue, undertake, in an endeavour, your best endeavours, a field of endeavour, make every endeavour |
| Antonyms | abandon, give up, quit | give up, surrender, abandon |
| Common mistakes | 'Attempted to' is often confused with 'tried to'., Learners sometimes use 'attempt' without an object, which is incorrect., Confusion between 'attempt' (to try) and 'achieve' (to succeed). | Using 'endeavour' without 'to' when following with a verb., Confusing 'endeavour' with 'adventure' because of similar sounds., Mixing up the British English spelling 'endeavour' with the American spelling 'endeavor'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'attempt' when referring to trying to achieve something, especially when the outcome is uncertain. It's suitable in both spoken and written contexts but may sound a bit formal in casual conversation. | Use 'endeavour' in contexts that require a slightly formal tone; it's often used in writing or speeches. It is less common in casual conversation. |
Frequently asked questions: Attempt vs Endeavour
What's the difference between Attempt and Endeavour?
Attempt: To try to do something. Endeavour: To try hard to do something.
Which is more common: Attempt and Endeavour?
Attempt is the most common in everyday English.
Are Attempt and Endeavour the same CEFR level?
Attempt: B2, Endeavour: C1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Attempt and Endeavour interchangeably?
Not always. Attempt and Endeavour are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.