a failing attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a failing attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an unsuccessful attempt at doing something. For example, "My attempt at baking a cake was a failing one; the end result was a burned, gooey mess."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

On Friday, I was reminded of my up close and personal observation of the CTA management's business acumen when Mayor Daley made a failing attempt to broker an agreement between his CTA officials and labor union leaders.

Huffington Post

This woman appeared to be in her mid-to-late-thirties and was well put together, but wearing a denim jacket in a failing attempt to somehow give the illusion of youth.

Vice

The increase in protective biomarkers may represent a failing attempt to restore homeostasis as the joint degenerates [ 19].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

The lower CRP in non-survivors, on the other hand, might indicate immune exhaustion or liver failure, with a failing attempt to bring about an effective response in order to establish control of their acute illness.

Critical Care

You can also voice out your feelings to them if you feel like it won't be a failing attempt.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Visual control was carried out to identify failing attempts, and in case of a fault trial the participants were required to repeat the task.

European Journal of Applied Physiology

This post is not about the "18 Disruptive Technologies of 2018," or, "How to Become a Disruptor in Three Easy Steps". It is about the failing attempts of disruption in the corporate innovation environment.

Forbes

The movie, which is eligible for the first-time filmmaker's award, the Caméra d'Or, simply follows a group of New York teenagers from the Lower East Side and their hilarious, failing attempts at romance.

The New York Times

In their failing attempts to cope with this tension, many Muslim societies are pursuing conflicts with precisely those states whose experience might help them chart their future.

The New York Times

The major obstacles to creating collagen/apatite composites modeled after the structure of bone are mentioned, including the immunogenicity of xenogeneic collagen and continuously failing attempts to replicate the biomineralization process in vitro.

Materials Science and Engineering: C

The assumption that science and politics operate differently facilitated the explanation for failing attempts of steering.

European Journal of Futures Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a failing attempt" when you want to emphasize not just the lack of success, but also the process of failing, highlighting the struggle or decline during the attempt.

Common error

Instead of stating "it was a failing attempt", consider using a more direct verb that encapsulates the failure, such as "the project floundered" or "the negotiations collapsed". This can make your writing more concise and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a failing attempt" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying the noun "attempt". It describes the quality or state of the attempt, indicating that it is not succeeding or is in the process of failing. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a failing attempt" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, though Ludwig indicates that it is relatively rare. It's an adjectival phrase describing an unsuccessful effort, often highlighting a process of decline. The phrase appears across various contexts, including news, scientific publications, and wikis, suggesting a neutral register. To improve writing, consider using stronger verbs to convey the failure more directly. Alternative phrases include "an unsuccessful endeavor" or "a fruitless effort". Understanding these nuances will enable you to use the phrase effectively and appropriately in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unsuccessful endeavor

Replaces "attempt" with a more formal synonym "endeavor" and uses "unsuccessful" instead of "failing".

a fruitless effort

Substitutes "failing" with "fruitless", emphasizing the lack of positive outcome.

a vain effort

Replaces "failing" with "vain", highlighting the futility of the attempt.

a futile undertaking

Uses "undertaking" for attempt, and "futile" emphasizes hopelessness in the attempt.

a botched effort

Replaces "failing" with "botched", highlighting the poor execution.

a misguided effort

Replaces "failing" with "misguided", focusing on the flawed planning of the attempt.

an abortive attempt

Replaces failing with abortive, highlighting the attempt was cut short or unsuccessful.

a collapsed strategy

Shifts from a single attempt to an overall strategy that has failed.

a defeated strategy

Emphasizes that the strategy was overcame by opposing forces.

a thwarted effort

Focuses on the obstruction or prevention of the effort's success.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a failing attempt" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "an unsuccessful endeavor", "a fruitless effort", or "a futile undertaking". These options provide a more sophisticated tone while conveying the same meaning.

What's the difference between "a failing attempt" and "a failed attempt"?

While similar, "a failing attempt" suggests an ongoing process of failure, whereas "a failed attempt" simply indicates that the attempt did not succeed. The former implies a more gradual or observable decline.

Is it redundant to say "a failing attempt"?

While "failing" inherently implies a lack of success, using "a failing attempt" can emphasize the gradual decline or struggle during the process, adding nuance to the description.

What are some situations where "a failing attempt" is particularly appropriate?

This phrase is suitable when describing situations where an effort shows clear signs of deteriorating or losing effectiveness over time, such as "a failing attempt" to revive a struggling business or "a failing attempt" to mediate a conflict.