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I'm having a hard time to comprehend the difference between the three prepositions "of"&"in"&"at" in a lot of occasions.The below is an example of that,so which sentence is idiomatic and why ??

1- My first attempt of making a pancake.

2- My first attempt in making a pancake.

1- My first attempt at making a pancake.

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The third one is grammatical since "attempt" is being used as a noun and the following verb is not infinitive

"Attempt", when used as a noun, is usually followed by "at".

This is an attempt at making a pancake

But when the verb that follows is infinitive, you use "to".

This is an attempt to make a pancake

When "Attempt" is used as a verb, it is always followed by "to" and an infinitive verb.

I am attempting to make a pancake

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    @Thank you for the useful info, but don't you think that "of" which means "concerning" could work (This is an attempt of making a pancake )
    – Mohamed kz
    Commented Apr 13, 2020 at 8:47
  • "Attempt" always goes with "at" or "to". "of" and 'by" can be used in the context "An attempt by/of Mohamed at making/ to make" but not directly before the verb.
    – Arunkgp
    Commented Apr 13, 2020 at 8:55
  • Thank a lot for the great explanation.
    – Mohamed kz
    Commented Apr 13, 2020 at 8:59

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