a fair attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

"a fair attempt" is an idiom that is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an honest attempt to do something, even if it did not produce the desired outcome. For example, "I made a fair attempt at solving the math problem, but I was ultimately unsuccessful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

There is a fair attempt to share the burden.

The Economist

"It looks like a fair attempt to respond to the different interests".

The Guardian

10 01: As far as Mr Clinton's speech, I would say that was a fair attempt at a tough task.

The Economist

"Surprisingly – I thought it was quite mature and ambitious for a DIY, and Tony's stream-of-consciousness voice over was a fair attempt.

The Guardian - Film

Yesterday's move will not solve all the dilemmas, but it should reassure sceptics that a fair attempt to assess standards is being made.

The Guardian - Opinion

I have also made a fair attempt to get their views also on the report, which they had a standard amount of time to respond to".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

One salesman at the Great British Brands Festival, a consumer fair, attempted to lure curious Chinese onlookers at a shopping mall in western Beijing by shouting about his products, in Chinese, no less.

BBC

Nonetheless, I like to think it was a fair gaijin attempt at hanami.

Huffington Post

The space has seen a fair few attempts to drive down the price-tag of owning an additive manufacturing machine in recent years, including the likes of the MakiBox, Pirate 3D Buccaneer and The Micro.

TechCrunch

And post-comeback, we're yet to see the definitive Who game materialise, despite a fair few attempts.

Vice

And post-comeback, we're yet to see the definitive Who game materialize, despite a fair few attempts.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider if emphasizing 'fairness' is truly necessary, or if a more direct term like 'genuine attempt' would be more impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "a fair attempt" when describing something that was deliberately sabotaged or half-hearted. The phrase implies a genuine effort to achieve a positive outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fair attempt" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the object of a verb (e.g., 'make', 'give'). It indicates an action or effort made with a degree of honesty and impartiality. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes an honest attempt to do something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a fair attempt" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe an honest effort, even if the outcome is not entirely successful. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science, suggesting a neutral register. Alternatives include "a genuine attempt" or "a reasonable effort", each adding a slightly different nuance. When using this phrase, ensure that the context implies a genuine effort was made and avoid using it for deliberately sabotaged actions. The expert rating is 4.5, reflecting strong grammatical correctness, reliable sourcing, and consistent usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a legitimate attempt

Replaces 'fair' with 'legitimate', emphasizing the validity or lawfulness of the attempt.

a fair effort

Substitutes 'attempt' with 'effort', focusing on the exertion of energy.

a genuine attempt

Replaces 'fair' with 'genuine', highlighting the sincerity and authenticity of the attempt.

a fair try

Replaces 'attempt' with 'try', making the phrase more informal and direct.

a decent attempt

Replaces 'fair' with 'decent', suggesting the attempt was adequate or satisfactory.

a reasonable attempt

Replaces 'fair' with 'reasonable', emphasizing the logical or sensible nature of the attempt.

a worthy attempt

Replaces 'fair' with 'worthy', implying the attempt has merit or value.

a fair trial

Changes 'attempt' to 'trial', implying a formal test or experiment to assess something fairly.

a fair bid

Replaces 'attempt' with 'bid', implying an offering or proposal made in good faith.

a balanced attempt

Replaces 'fair' with 'balanced', indicating that the attempt was made with impartiality and considering all sides.

FAQs

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

You can use "a fair attempt" to describe an honest effort made to achieve something, such as "She made "a fair attempt" to fix the car, but it still wouldn't start".

What is a good alternative to "a fair attempt"?

Some alternatives to "a fair attempt" include "a genuine attempt", "a reasonable effort", or "an honest try" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "a fair and honest attempt"?

While not strictly redundant, "a fair and honest attempt" can be seen as slightly repetitive. Using just "a fair attempt" or "an honest attempt" usually suffices to convey the meaning.

What does it mean when someone says they'll make "a fair attempt"?

When someone says they'll make "a fair attempt", it generally means they'll try their best and act impartially or justly while doing so.