Cool MateAttempt vs Seek vs Strive vs Test vs Try
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Attempt
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Seek
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Strive
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Test
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
Try
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
| Attempt | Seek | Strive | Test | Try | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈtempt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈtempt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/siːk/","/siːks/","/sɔːt/","/ˈsiːkɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/siːk/","/siːks/","/sɔːt/","/ˈsiːkɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/straɪv/","/straɪvz/","/strəʊv/","/straɪvd/","/ˈstrɪvn/","/ˈstraɪvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/straɪv/","/straɪvz/","/strəʊv/","/straɪvd/","/ˈstrɪvn/","/ˈstraɪvɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/test/"]/🇺🇸 /["/test/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/traɪ/","/traɪz/","/traɪd/","/ˈtraɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/traɪ/","/traɪz/","/traɪd/","/ˈtraɪɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To try to do something. | To look for something or try to find it. | To work hard to achieve something. | An exam to check knowledge or skills. | to make an effort to do something |
| Example | Her attempt to climb the mountain was met with several challenges. | I need to seek help from a professional for my anxiety. | We encourage all members to strive for the highest standards. | I have a math test tomorrow and I need to study. | I will try my best to finish the project on time. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 | C1 | A1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | noun | verb | verb | 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 | hard, mightily, desperately, after, against, for | demanding, difficult, gruelling/grueling, do, sit, take, result, score, conditions, in a/the test, on a/the test, test in, exhaustive, extensive, rigorous, number, series, have, undergo, carry out, take place, confirm something, demonstrate something, result, data, statistics, test for, test on, exhaustive, extensive, rigorous, number, series, have, undergo, carry out, take place, confirm something, demonstrate something, result, data, statistics, test for, test on, good, critical, crucial, pose, provide, put somebody/something to the test, case, the acid test, the litmus test, stand the test of time | desperately, frantically, furiously, decide to, dare (somebody) to, bother to, be just trying to do something, be only trying to do something, give up trying, desperately, frantically, furiously, decide to, dare (somebody) to, bother to, be just trying to do something, be only trying to do something, give up trying |
| Antonyms | abandon, give up, quit | ignore, neglect, overlook | relax, surrender, give up | guess, ignore, neglect | give up, quit, avoid |
| 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. | 'Strive' is often confused with 'strive for'; remember it needs 'to' before a verb., Some learners use 'strived' as the past tense, but it's 'strove' or 'strived' depending on context., Mixing up 'strive' with 'thrive' due to similar sounds. | Confused with 'testify' — they mean different things., Using 'test' as a countable noun incorrectly., Mixing up 'tested' and 'testing’ in verb forms. | Using 'try' with a noun instead of a verb (e.g., 'try a bike' instead of 'try riding a bike'), Confusing 'try' with 'test' — 'try' suggests effort, while 'test' implies evaluation, Using 'try' without context, making the intention unclear |
| 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. | Use 'strive' in contexts where you want to emphasize effort towards a goal. It's appropriate in both formal and informal situations but may sound overly dramatic for casual conversations. | Used in educational contexts for quizzes or exams. Can also refer to trials in scientific or real-world situations. Avoid in informal contexts unless using slang. | Use 'try' when suggesting attempts. It's suitable for informal and formal settings. Avoid using it with absolute outcomes, as it conveys effort rather than guarantee. |
Frequently asked questions: Attempt vs Seek vs Strive vs Test vs Try
What's the difference between Attempt, Seek, Strive, Test, and Try?
Attempt: To try to do something. Seek: To look for something or try to find it. Strive: To work hard to achieve something. Test: An exam to check knowledge or skills. Try: to make an effort to do something
Which is more advanced: Attempt, Seek, Strive, Test, and Try?
Strive is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Attempt, Seek, Strive, Test, and Try the same CEFR level?
Attempt: B2, Seek: B2, Strive: C1, Test: A1, Try: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Attempt, Seek, Strive, Test, and Try?
Attempt: noun, Seek: verb, Strive: verb, Test: noun, Try: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Attempt: Her attempt to climb the mountain was met with several challenges. Seek: I need to seek help from a professional for my anxiety. Strive: We encourage all members to strive for the highest standards. Test: I have a math test tomorrow and I need to study. Try: I will try my best to finish the project on time.
Can I use Attempt, Seek, Strive, Test, and Try interchangeably?
Not always. Attempt, Seek, Strive, Test, and Try 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.