a bad attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bad attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort or endeavor that was unsuccessful or poorly executed. Example: "Despite his enthusiasm, it was ultimately a bad attempt at solving the complex problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"The Force Awakens" isn't a bad attempt at resurrecting the old "Star Wars".

The New Yorker

Liberals north and west of me — people who consider themselves educated and learned — are the very ones who seem to make the most ill-informed statements (often in a bad attempt at humor) about the region's politics.

The New York Times

Despite playing fast and loose with the mythology to Americanise it more (though keeping Constantine's UK origins), it wasn't a bad attempt at an adaptation at all, and won a fair few fans – not enough to get it a second series, though, or encourage any other network to pick it up.

The Guardian - Books

Just a bad attempt at a joke, I guess?

Huffington Post

On one hand, the completely meaningless title, Zug der Liebe, sounds like a bad attempt at translating Loveparade.

Vice

The Razzie performances were the epitome of this brands of self-satisfied bad comedy: The dance routine footwork was sloppy, the jokes were a bad attempt at Mad magazine style humor, and the pratfalls were endless.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"It was a really bad attempt".

The New York Times

You can email me at [email protected] at cheavyout my blog at TeleworkExchittercom/Work.

Huffington Post

Jennifer Lawrence has recalled her surprisingly bad attempt at a modelling career before her acting one became so successful.

Independent

Charles Dickens used the term in his 1836 The Pickwick Papers (more properly called The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club): "At every bad attempt at a catch, and every failure to stop the ball, he launched his personal displeasure at the head of the devoted individual in such denunciations as 'Ah, ah!—stupid' 'Now, butter-fingers' 'Muff'— 'Humbug' and so forth".

The Guardian - Books

Bad attempt at a joke, Em -- she giggles, and then offers Arie the rose.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an action, use "a bad attempt" to convey not only failure but also a lack of quality or skill in the execution. For example, "His presentation was a bad attempt at humor, leaving the audience unimpressed."

Common error

Avoid using "a bad attempt" when a simple statement of failure is sufficient. Saying "the project failed" might be more appropriate than "the project was a bad attempt" if the primary focus is on the outcome, not the quality of the effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bad attempt" functions as a noun phrase, where 'bad' modifies 'attempt'. It serves to describe the quality of an effort or action, indicating it was unsuccessful and poorly executed. Ludwig AI validates this usage with numerous examples from reputable sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bad attempt" is a common phrase used to describe an effort that was both unsuccessful and poorly executed. As validated by Ludwig AI, it functions as a noun phrase, primarily expressing criticism or disappointment. The phrase is versatile enough for use in neutral contexts like news and media, but its directness prevents it from being highly formal. When writing, remember to use "a bad attempt" when you want to emphasize both the failure and the lack of quality in an action. Consider alternatives like ""a failed effort"" or ""a poor showing"" to add different shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a failed effort

Focuses more directly on the lack of success.

a poor showing

Emphasizes the underwhelming performance or result.

an unsuccessful try

Highlights the lack of the desired outcome.

a deficient undertaking

Stresses the inadequacy or shortcoming of the project.

a flawed endeavor

Points out the imperfections or defects in the effort.

a substandard performance

Directly addresses the inferior quality of the execution.

a regrettable undertaking

Adds a tone of disappointment or remorse about the venture.

a woeful try

Implies a sense of sorrow or misfortune about the attempt.

an abortive measure

Suggests that the attempt was cut short or failed prematurely.

a miserable failure

Highlights the complete and utter lack of success.

FAQs

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

You can use "a bad attempt" to describe something that was tried but done poorly. For example, "His speech was "a bad attempt" at comforting the grieving family".

What can I say instead of "a bad attempt"?

You can use alternatives like "a failed effort", "a poor showing", or "an unsuccessful try" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "a bad attempt"?

While "attempt" inherently implies a possibility of failure, "a bad attempt" specifies that the effort was not just unsuccessful, but also poorly executed. This adds a layer of critique to the effort itself.

What's the difference between "a bad attempt" and "a good attempt"?

"A bad attempt" implies that the effort was poorly executed and unsuccessful, whereas "a good attempt" suggests that while the ultimate goal may not have been achieved, the effort was commendable and well-executed.