In 15 Seconds
- A very formal way to say 'we will try our best'.
- Commonly used in business emails, contracts, and official statements.
- Promises high effort without 100% guaranteeing the final result.
- Best reserved for high-stakes professional situations, not casual talk.
Meaning
This phrase is a high-level commitment to putting in your best possible effort. It goes beyond a simple 'try' by adding a layer of professional gravity and sincere intention. When you say this, you are telling someone that while you cannot guarantee the outcome, you are treating the task with the utmost importance.
Key Examples
3 of 10Official company email to a client
We will endeavor to resolve your technical issues by the end of the business day.
We will try our best to fix your tech problems by today.
Job interview closing statement
If hired, I will endeavor to contribute to the company's long-term growth.
If I get the job, I'll work hard to help the company grow.
Customer service response to a complaint
The management will endeavor to ensure this mistake does not happen again.
The bosses will try to make sure this doesn't happen again.
Cultural Background
In the UK, 'We shall endeavour to' (note the 'u') is often used as a polite way to manage expectations. It is seen as more reliable than a simple 'I'll try' but less aggressive than 'I will.' In US contracts, 'best endeavors' is a legal term that requires a party to do everything a reasonable person would do to achieve an objective. It is a high bar for effort. While Japanese has its own equivalents, when Japanese professionals speak English, they often use 'endeavor' because it matches the high level of politeness (Keigo) they are used to in their native language. International companies use this phrase in automated emails to sound 'premium' and 'caring' to a global audience, as it translates well as a sign of respect.
The 'Under-Promise' Trick
Use 'endeavor to' when you want to sound like you're working hard without legally committing to a result you can't control.
Spelling Alert
Remember: 'Endeavor' in the US, 'Endeavour' in the UK. Both are correct, but be consistent!
In 15 Seconds
- A very formal way to say 'we will try our best'.
- Commonly used in business emails, contracts, and official statements.
- Promises high effort without 100% guaranteeing the final result.
- Best reserved for high-stakes professional situations, not casual talk.
What It Means
Have you ever sent an email so formal it felt like you were wearing a tuxedo while typing? That is the exact vibe of we will endeavor to. In plain English, it simply means we will try. However, in the world of business and law, try is often considered too weak or casual. This phrase steps in to provide a heavy-duty alternative that sounds both sophisticated and serious. It is about promising a high level of effort without giving an absolute 100% guarantee of the result. Think of it as the professional way of saying 'we are on it and we won't stop until it's done.' It carries a sense of duty and diligent work. It is the verbal equivalent of a firm, dry handshake in a mahogany-paneled boardroom.
How To Use It
Using this phrase is actually quite straightforward from a grammatical standpoint. You simply place it before the base form of the verb you want to perform. The structure is: Subject + will endeavor to + Verb. For example, We will endeavor to respond within 24 hours. You can also use it in the present continuous if the effort is already happening, like We are endeavoring to fix the server issue. Just remember that endeavor acts as the main verb here. It is a bit like a fancy car—it looks great, but you have to drive it carefully. Don't overcomplicate the sentences surrounding it. Keep the rest of your message clear so the phrase can shine as the centerpiece of your professional commitment.
Formality & Register
This phrase sits at the very top of the formality ladder. If try is a t-shirt and attempt is a polo shirt, endeavor to is a three-piece suit with a pocket watch. You will almost exclusively find this in official correspondence, legal contracts, or high-stakes corporate apologies. It is perfect for LinkedIn updates when you want to sound like a visionary leader. It is also common in customer service when a company has made a big mistake. Using it shows that you respect the person you are talking to. It signals that the situation is serious enough for 'big' words. If you use this in a casual text, your friends might think you have been hacked by a 19th-century lawyer. It is meant for the professional stage, not the dinner table.
Real-Life Examples
You will see this phrase pop up in the most interesting professional corners of the internet. A tech company might post an update saying, We will endeavor to restore service as quickly as possible after a global outage. In a job interview, you might tell the recruiter, I will endeavor to exceed the sales targets every quarter. You might even find it in the terms and conditions of your favorite streaming app. They often write things like, We will endeavor to provide uninterrupted access to our content. It is even used by world leaders in official statements about climate change or peace treaties. It is the language of big promises and serious intentions. Whenever a situation needs a touch of class and a lot of commitment, this phrase is the go-to choice.
When To Use It
Reach for this phrase when you need to make a formal promise that requires significant effort. It is ideal for emails to clients where you want to show you are taking their request seriously. It is also great for public statements where you need to sound authoritative and reliable. If you are writing a cover letter for a high-level position, this phrase can help you sound more experienced and professional. Use it when the outcome is important but not entirely within your control. It protects you legally while still sounding very helpful. It is also useful when you need to apologize for a delay. It shows that you aren't just sitting around; you are actively working on a solution. It is the best tool for building professional trust.
When NOT To Use It
Whatever you do, please do not use this when talking to your roommates about the dishes. Saying I will endeavor to wash the plates by midnight will only get you weird looks. It is way too heavy for casual, everyday life. Avoid using it in situations where a simple yes or I'll do it is much more natural. You should also skip it if you want to sound modern and 'disruptive' in a tech startup. Some young companies prefer the word try or do because it feels faster and more direct. Also, don't use it if you are 100% certain of the result. If you know for a fact you will be at a meeting, just say I will be there. Endeavor implies there might be obstacles in your way.
Common Mistakes
One of the most frequent errors is using the wrong preposition. People often try to say endeavor for or endeavor on. The only correct follow-up is to followed by a verb. Another mistake is redundancy. Don't say we will try to endeavor to. That is like saying you will try to try, which makes you sound very indecisive! Also, watch out for the spelling. It is endeavor in American English and endeavour in British English. Mixing these up in a formal document can look a bit messy. Finally, don't use it to describe something easy. I will endeavor to open this door makes you sound like the door is made of solid lead and locked with a magic spell. Use it for tasks that actually require work.
Common Variations
While we will endeavor to is the standard, you might see some variations depending on the context. In British English, you must add a 'u': we will endeavour to. If you want to sound even more intense, you can say we will make every endeavor to. This implies you are leaving no stone unturned. You might also hear in an endeavor to, which is used to explain the reason for an action. For example, We changed our policy in an endeavor to improve safety. In very old-fashioned legal texts, you might even see endeavor oneself, but please don't use that unless you are a time traveler. The most common modern variation is simply switching the subject, such as The company will endeavor to or Our team will endeavor to.
Real Conversations
Manager
Lead Developer: I understand. We will endeavor to have the fix ready by tomorrow morning.
Manager
Customer
Airline Agent: We apologize for the inconvenience. We will endeavor to find you a seat on the next available flight.
Customer
Intern
Mentor
I will endeavor to. It sounds much more professional.Intern
I will endeavor to make the report sound more executive.Quick FAQ
Is endeavor better than try? In formal writing, yes. It sounds more committed and less like you might give up easily. Can I use it for personal goals? You can, but it sounds very dramatic. I will endeavor to eat more kale sounds like a holy quest. Is it a verb or a noun? It is both! You can endeavor to do something (verb) or make an endeavor (noun). Does it guarantee success? No. It only guarantees that you will try your hardest. That is why lawyers love it. It is a promise of effort, not a promise of a specific result. Is it still used today? Absolutely. It is a staple of corporate and legal English worldwide.
Usage Notes
This phrase is strictly formal and should be used in professional, legal, or high-stakes contexts. Avoid it in casual speech to prevent sounding robotic or overly dramatic. Always pair it with the base form of a verb preceded by 'to'.
The 'Under-Promise' Trick
Use 'endeavor to' when you want to sound like you're working hard without legally committing to a result you can't control.
Spelling Alert
Remember: 'Endeavor' in the US, 'Endeavour' in the UK. Both are correct, but be consistent!
Don't be too stiff
If you use this phrase in a text message to a friend, they might think you're being sarcastic or weirdly formal.
Examples
10We will endeavor to resolve your technical issues by the end of the business day.
We will try our best to fix your tech problems by today.
This sounds much more reliable than just saying 'we will try'.
If hired, I will endeavor to contribute to the company's long-term growth.
If I get the job, I'll work hard to help the company grow.
This shows a high level of maturity and professional intent.
The management will endeavor to ensure this mistake does not happen again.
The bosses will try to make sure this doesn't happen again.
It sounds like a serious promise rather than a quick excuse.
Both parties will endeavor to reach an amicable agreement before pursuing litigation.
Both sides will try to agree nicely before going to court.
This is standard legal phrasing to show good faith effort.
We will endeavor to be more transparent with our users moving forward.
We'll try to be more open with our users from now on.
Using 'endeavor' here helps rebuild lost trust.
I will endeavor to finish this entire pizza by myself tonight. Wish me luck!
I'm going to try my absolute hardest to eat this whole pizza.
Using such a formal phrase for a silly task creates humor.
I will endeavor to be the support you need during this difficult time.
I will try my best to be there for you right now.
In personal contexts, it adds a weight of solemn promise.
✗ We will endeavor for fixing the bug → ✓ We will endeavor to fix the bug.
We will try to fix the bug.
Always use 'to' + base verb, never 'for' + -ing.
✗ We will try to endeavor to help you → ✓ We will endeavor to help you.
We will try our best to help you.
Don't combine 'try' and 'endeavor'; it's repetitive and sounds weak.
In my new role, I will endeavor to lead our team toward record-breaking success.
In my new job, I'll work hard to lead our team to success.
Perfect for a high-impact professional announcement.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the phrase.
We _____ _____ _____ to resolve your complaint by the end of the day.
The future tense 'will' followed by 'endeavor to' is the standard formal construction.
Which situation is most appropriate for the phrase 'We will endeavor to'?
Choose the best context:
'Endeavor' is a high-register word suited for corporate or formal communication.
Complete the dialogue with a professional response.
Client: 'Can you guarantee the software will be bug-free?' Developer: 'While we cannot guarantee perfection, we _____ _____ _____ _____ eliminate all known issues.'
This provides a professional assurance without making an impossible guarantee.
Match the phrase with its synonym of the same register.
Match the following:
Both 'endeavor' and 'strive' are formal, high-register verbs.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Try vs. Endeavor
Practice Bank
4 exercisesWe _____ _____ _____ to resolve your complaint by the end of the day.
The future tense 'will' followed by 'endeavor to' is the standard formal construction.
Choose the best context:
'Endeavor' is a high-register word suited for corporate or formal communication.
Client: 'Can you guarantee the software will be bug-free?' Developer: 'While we cannot guarantee perfection, we _____ _____ _____ _____ eliminate all known issues.'
This provides a professional assurance without making an impossible guarantee.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Both 'endeavor' and 'strive' are formal, high-register verbs.
🎉 Score: /4
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsThey are similar, but 'endeavor' is more common in business/legal contexts, while 'strive' is more common in motivational or personal contexts.
Yes, e.g., 'We endeavored to reach the summit, but the weather turned.'
No. It means 'we will try.' It is a promise of effort, not a promise of a result.
It is almost always 'endeavor to' followed by a verb.
Yes, it is very common in American business and legal English, though spelled without the 'u'.
You can, but it's rare. Usually, you need to say what you are endeavoring to do.
It is both! As a verb: 'I will endeavor to go.' As a noun: 'It was a noble endeavor.'
Because 'try' can sound weak or non-committal in a professional setting. 'Endeavor' sounds like you have a plan and a sense of duty.
No, the pronunciation is the same regardless of the spelling.
Yes! It's a great word for a cover letter to show your professional attitude.
Related Phrases
Strive to
synonymTo make great efforts to achieve or obtain something.
Make every effort to
similarTo try as hard as possible.
Aim to
similarTo have a goal or intention.
Undertake to
specialized formTo formally promise to do something.