Here's how you can use it in a sentence:
* "He grabbed at the rope, desperately trying to climb to safety." (This implies a forceful, panicked attempt to grab the rope.)
* "The child grabbed at the toy, but it was out of reach." (This implies a quick, unsuccessful attempt to grab the toy.)
More Natural Alternatives
* "Grab" (simple and direct) - "He grabbed the rope and pulled himself up."
* "Reach for" (implies a more controlled action) - "He reached for the rope and pulled himself up."
* "Snatch" (implies a sudden, forceful action) - "He snatched the toy from the child."
* "Clutch" (implies holding tightly) - "She clutched her purse as she walked through the dark alley."
Choose the phrase that best fits the context and the tone you want to convey.