Commentary: ATTEMPT[+activity][+endeavor][-completive] ATTEMPT VCOMP (this sense is often followed by a more substantive verbal complement)
NOTE: this sense functions almost like a modal verb, indicating possibility, not certainty
NOTE: the focus is on the process of the endeavor.
Examples:
Their attempts to bring peace to the Middle East have not succeeded.
The girl made no attempt to apologize for her rude conduct at the party.
Our attempts to grow tomatoes this season resulted in four tiny green balls on one plant.
Mappings:
PropBank: attempt.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1
Commentary: ATTEMPT[+activity][+endeavor][+completive]
NOTE: the focus is on the completion of a circumscribed act, not the ongoing process of it.
NOTE: this sense often followed by PP, not a Verbal Complement, as in Sense 1
Examples:
His third attempt of Everest ended in tragedy.
Last night an attempt was made on the life of the French ambassador.
Mappings:
PropBank: attempt.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2
Commentary: ATTEMPT[+entity][+tangible][+result][+opus]
NOTE: implies a tangible object, the result of purposeful activity
Examples:
Beethoven discarded many early attempts at his symphonies.
This drawing is John's first attempt with pastels.
My last attempt at a letter to the senator also ended up in the waste basket.
Mappings:
PropBank: attempt.01
WordNet 0.0 Sense Numbers: 3
Commentary: Automatically generated NOTA sense (bbn)
Examples:
Mappings:
PropBank: NM