a legitimate attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a legitimate attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort that is valid, genuine, or acceptable in a particular context. Example: "Despite the challenges, the team made a legitimate attempt to meet the project deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

That was a "legitimate attempt to commit suicide," Mr. Donahue said.

The New York Times

With slick CGI and a $100+ million budget, Universal Pictures latest offering seems to be a legitimate attempt at making a good film based on a video game.

Independent

When he signed the bill, Gov. Jack Dalrymple, a Republican, called it "a legitimate attempt by a state legislature to discover the boundaries of Roe v. Wade".

The New York Times

Legal experts say that point could be a pivotal factor in determining whether Mr. Cipel's claim was a legitimate attempt at a settlement or an attempt at extortion.

The New York Times

This panicky last-minute decision appears to be borne out of ministerial paranoia rather than a legitimate attempt to improve public services," he said.

The Guardian

And it's intimidating". It was possible some requests were designed simply to stop scientists working rather than as a legitimate attempt to get research data, said Nurse.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

His goofy plans, however, didn't resemble any legitimate attempt at forest carbon mitigation, and most of the indigenous people he targeted as partners wouldn't sign with him.

Huffington Post

"I don't think the markets have been spooked so far," said Hatch, adding that if markets realize there's an ongoing "legitimate attempt to try and make government work," they'll grant the nation leeway.

Huffington Post

Assemblyman Jim Patterson, the Fresno Republican who authored the measure, says it is a sincere and legitimate attempt by ranchers to deal with abuse as quickly as possible by compelling witnesses to bring their evidence to local authorities.

Los Angeles Times

Scalia maintained that Amendment 2 "is not the manifestation of a ' bare... desire to harm"' homosexuals, but is rather a rational and perfectly legitimate attempt by Coloradans to "preserve traditional sexual mores".

Huffington Post

"What mars its image are the reckless, irresponsible attacks against the legitimate attempt by a democracy on the defensive to draw a line between what is acceptable and what isn't acceptable," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a legitimate attempt", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates the validity or justification of the effort. Providing specific reasons or evidence strengthens the argument.

Common error

Avoid using "a legitimate attempt" when the effort is clearly inadequate or lacks sufficient basis. Overstating the legitimacy can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a legitimate attempt" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an effort or undertaking that is considered valid, justifiable, or in accordance with accepted standards. This is validated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Academia

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a legitimate attempt" is a commonly used phrase that describes an action or effort that is considered valid, justifiable, or genuine. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and is used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal communications. When using this phrase, ensure the context supports the claim of legitimacy and avoid overstating the validity of questionable efforts. Related phrases such as ""a genuine effort"" and ""a valid endeavor"" can be used as alternatives to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a genuine effort

Replaces "attempt" with "effort", emphasizing the sincerity of the action.

a valid endeavor

Substitutes both "legitimate" and "attempt" for synonyms, suggesting a rightful undertaking.

a credible try

Uses "credible" and "try" to convey a believable and earnest effort.

an authentic effort

Replaces "legitimate" with "authentic", highlighting the genuineness of the attempt.

a sincere endeavor

Emphasizes the honesty and earnestness of the attempt.

a reasonable effort

Focuses on the rationality and justifiability of the attempt.

a justifiable undertaking

Highlights the defensible nature of the attempt or project.

a principled action

Suggests the attempt is based on strong moral or ethical grounds.

a rightful pursuit

Implies the attempt is morally and legally correct.

a bona fide undertaking

Uses a more formal expression to denote a genuine and sincere attempt.

FAQs

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

You can use "a legitimate attempt" to describe an action or effort that is justifiable, valid, or genuine. For example, "The company's effort to reduce emissions was "a legitimate attempt" to improve its environmental impact."

What are some alternatives to saying "a legitimate attempt"?

Alternatives include "a genuine effort", "a valid endeavor", or "a credible try" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always necessary to qualify an attempt as "legitimate"?

No, it's not always necessary. The adjective "legitimate" is added when you want to emphasize the validity, justification, or genuine nature of the attempt. If the context already implies these qualities, the adjective may be redundant.

What makes an attempt "legitimate"?

An attempt is considered "legitimate" when it is based on sound reasoning, follows accepted rules or standards, and is made in good faith. It implies that the effort is not deceitful, frivolous, or malicious.