Cool MateAttempt vs Seek
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Attempt
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Seek
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
| Attempt | Seek | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈtempt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈtempt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/siːk/","/siːks/","/sɔːt/","/ˈsiːkɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/siːk/","/siːks/","/sɔːt/","/ˈsiːkɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To try to do something. | To look for something or try to find it. |
| Example | Her attempt to climb the mountain was met with several challenges. | I need to seek help from a professional for my anxiety. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | verb |
| 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 | aggressively, avidly, eagerly, continue to, for, in, highly sought after |
| Antonyms | abandon, give up, quit | ignore, neglect, overlook |
| 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). | Confused with 'look for' — 'seek' is more formal., Using 'seek' without an object — it usually needs something to seek., Mixing 'seek' with 'find' — they have different meanings. |
| 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 'seek' in formal or neutral contexts. It is not common in everyday conversations. Instead, you might say 'look for'. Avoid using it in very casual situations. |
Frequently asked questions: Attempt vs Seek
What's the difference between Attempt and Seek?
Attempt: To try to do something. Seek: To look for something or try to find it.
Are Attempt and Seek the same CEFR level?
Attempt: B2, Seek: B2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Attempt and Seek interchangeably?
Not always. Attempt and Seek 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.