What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
effort
Example
She put a lot of effort into her studies and got good grades. [effort: noun]
Example
He made an effort to be more patient with his coworkers. [effort: verb]
attempt
Example
I attempted to fix my car, but I couldn't figure out what was wrong. [attempted: past tense]
Example
She made an attempt to learn a new language, but found it difficult. [attempt: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Effort is more commonly used than attempt in everyday language. Effort is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while attempt is less common and often used in more formal or specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between effort and attempt?
While effort can be used in both formal and informal contexts, attempt is generally more formal and is often used in legal or academic settings.
