Difference between attempt and try

[vanessa]

Test No. errors/inter-14 "Great expections when you are so carried away", question 4

As you know Mary and her husband Dave have been attempting for a baby for some years now.

(a) As
(b) attempting
(c) for

Test No. errors/inter-14 "Great expections when you are so carried away", answer 4

As you know Mary and her husband Dave have been trying for a baby for some years now.

Correct entry: trying
The error was: (b) attempting

You have not found the error.
As you know Mary and her husband Dave have been attempting for a baby since some years now.
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why try? thanks

[Mister Micawber]

.

Try is a verb that works with for; attempt requires a noun or an infinitive.

Strive is another possible answer; in fact, all of the following are possible, and there are likely more possibilities that I haven't thought of:

Attempting to have a baby
Trying for a baby
Striving for a baby
Endeavoring to have a baby
Making an effort to have a baby
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mister Micawber

[lost_soul]

Does "planning for a baby" make sence in that example ?

Thanks !
_________________
Alex

A native speaker of Russian

[Mister Micawber]

.
Planning for a baby is not the same active process that trying for a baby is. Planning is just thinking about it.
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mister Micawber