attempt to escape

Meaning

To try to get away from a place where you are being held, trapped, or kept against your will. It is commonly used in news stories, novels, or when talking about pets running away.

Examples

• The clever dog would always attempt to escape whenever the gate was left open.

  The clever dog would always attempt to escape whenever the gate was left open.

• Two prisoners made a desperate attempt to escape during the storm.

  Two prisoners made a desperate attempt to escape during the storm.

• If you find yourself in a fire, do not attempt to escape through the elevator.

  If you find yourself in a fire, do not attempt to escape through the elevator.

• The wildlife rescue team watched the trapped deer attempt to escape the netting.

  The wildlife rescue team watched the trapped deer attempt to escape the netting.

• She felt a sudden panic and had to fight the urge to attempt to escape the crowded room.

  She felt a sudden panic and had to fight the urge to attempt to escape the crowded room.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He did an attempt to escape from the room.

  ✓ He made an attempt to escape from the room.

  We use the verb 'make' with the noun 'attempt', or we use 'attempt' directly as a verb: 'He attempted to escape'.

• ✗ The cat attempted for escaping through the window.

  ✓ The cat attempted to escape through the window.

  The verb 'attempt' is followed by an infinitive verb with 'to', not 'for' + gerund.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The hikers knew they shouldn't ___ from the bear, as it might chase them.

  💡 Try to run away.

  Show answer

  attempt to escape

• Guards are stationed at every exit to prevent any ___ by the inmates.

  💡 Effort to get free.

  Show answer

  attempt to escape