Final answer:
The correct answer to the provided question is option c) both a and b. The question involves legal terminology where both 'attempting to extort' and 'attempted extortion of' accurately describe the act of trying to illegally obtain something by threat or force.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct option : c
The terms 'attempting to extort' and 'attempted extortion of' are essentially describing the same unlawful action, which is trying to obtain something, often money or other benefits, through force, threats, or coercion. The phrasing 'attempting to extort' is the present participle form of the verb 'to extort,' describing the action as it was occurring. On the other hand, 'attempted extortion of' is the past perfect form, suggesting that the action was completed in the past. In the context of law, both phrases are used interchangeably to describe the crime of extortion that was tried but not necessarily completed.
Extortion is a serious offense and involves demanding money, property, or services from a person or organization through coercion, which is a criminal act under the law. The key difference between the two phrases is one of tense rather than meaning. Therefore, in the context of criminal charges, both terms are applicable and correct, leading to the conclusion that both a) and b) fit the provided blank in the question posed.