Abortive attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

"abortive attempt" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a failed effort or endeavor that did not achieve its intended outcome. Example: "The team's abortive attempt to launch the product resulted in significant losses." Alternative expressions include "failed attempt" and "unsuccessful effort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An abortive attempt to start an urban institute at The New School.

Cornell University

After an abortive attempt to force Lessard to resign, Lepage finally abandoned the company in 1989.

The Guardian

I already made an abortive attempt – years ago I bought an alto sax.

The Guardian - Music

He was sent to England in an abortive attempt to bring him to trial.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After an abortive attempt to introduce trade monopolies, Ibrāhīm encouraged European traders by maintaining better security.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Paul III, after an abortive attempt at reform, had introduced the Roman Inquisition in 1542.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Duffy was seized just before an abortive attempt at insurrection (August 1848) and imprisoned until 1849.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The brothers' "road" adventures begin with their first abortive attempt to leave Cincinnati.

The New York Times

…other nationalists in an abortive attempt to kill French guests at a banquet.

Britannica

In the 1950's, an abortive attempt was made to have television stars read courtesy reminders over the loudspeakers.

The New York Times

Then, in December of 1992, the government moved in, in an abortive attempt to crush the Islamic groups.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “abortive attempt” to describe efforts that were started but ultimately did not succeed due to internal or external factors.

Common error

Avoid using "abortive attempt" to describe something that was never truly started or intended. The phrase implies an active but failed process, not a lack of initiative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abortive attempt" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "abortive" modifies the noun "attempt". It describes a specific type of attempt characterized by its failure to achieve the intended goal. Ludwig AI confirms this is a standard usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

27%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "abortive attempt" is a widely used and grammatically correct phrase that describes a failed endeavor. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. The phrase is most commonly found in news articles, encyclopedias, and academic texts, indicating a neutral to formal register. While alternatives like "failed endeavor" or "unsuccessful effort" exist, "abortive attempt" specifically emphasizes the incompletion or lack of fruition in the endeavor. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly outlines the intended goal and the reasons for the attempt's failure to maximize clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abortive undertaking

A more formal synonym, replacing "attempt" with a broader term for a task or project. It is nearly interchangeable but less commonly used.

failed endeavor

This alternative emphasizes the failure of the undertaking itself, shifting the focus from the attempt to the overall result.

unsuccessful effort

Similar to "failed endeavor", this option highlights the lack of success, but retains a slightly more active connotation.

fruitless undertaking

This phrase suggests that the attempt was not only unsuccessful but also unproductive, implying a waste of resources or time.

futile exercise

This option emphasizes the pointlessness of the attempt, suggesting that it was doomed to fail from the beginning.

vain endeavor

Similar to "futile exercise", this option highlights the lack of a positive outcome, implying arrogance or overconfidence.

thwarted effort

This phrase suggests that the attempt was blocked or prevented from succeeding by external forces or circumstances.

botched attempt

This option highlights the fact that the attempt was ruined by clumsiness or incompetence.

ill-fated venture

This phrase emphasizes the negative destiny or misfortune associated with the attempt, indicating that it was predestined to fail.

unsuccessful bid

This alternative is often used in contexts involving competitions or formal requests, highlighting the failure to win or achieve something specific.

FAQs

How can I use "abortive attempt" in a sentence?

Use "abortive attempt" to describe a situation where someone tried to do something, but it didn't work out. For instance, "The company's "abortive attempt" to launch a new product resulted in significant losses."

What can I say instead of "abortive attempt"?

You can use alternatives like "failed attempt", "unsuccessful effort", or "fruitless undertaking" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "abortive attempt" or "failed attempt"?

"Abortive attempt" emphasizes that the attempt was cut short or didn't fully develop. A "failed attempt" simply means it didn't succeed, without necessarily implying it was prematurely stopped.

What's the difference between "abortive attempt" and "aborted attempt"?

"Abortive attempt" describes an attempt that failed to come to completion or fruition. "Aborted attempt" implies that the attempt was deliberately stopped mid-process. The nuance lies in whether the cessation was due to failure or conscious decision.