What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
attempted
Example
He attempted to climb the mountain but had to turn back due to bad weather. [attempted: past tense]
Example
The team made an attempted comeback in the second half of the game. [attempted: adjective]
failed
Example
She failed the driving test for the third time. [failed: verb]
Example
The company's new product launch was a failed attempt to attract more customers. [failed: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Failed is more commonly used than attempted in everyday language. Failed is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts to describe unsuccessful actions or outcomes. On the other hand, attempted is less common and is often used in more specific situations where the focus is on the effort made rather than the result.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between attempted and failed?
Both attempted and failed can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, failed may carry a slightly more formal tone when used to describe the outcome of a significant event or endeavor.
