a painstaking attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a painstaking attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort that requires a lot of careful and detailed work, often implying that the task is difficult or tedious. Example: "After a painstaking attempt to solve the complex puzzle, she finally found the solution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But working a cycle, in a painstaking attempt to get the puck toward the net, is not chess-y at all.

The New Yorker

It still looks a very modern construction, a working art installation that bizarrely featured a compulsory sports programme, a painstaking attempt to unleash creativity in the most sympathetic environment.

Independent

This month also sees the publication of a biography, Agnes Martin: Her Life and Art by Nancy Princenthal (Thames & Hudson), a painstaking attempt to disentangle the many contradictions of a long and singular life.

The Guardian - Arts

As part of a painstaking attempt to answer the question, he quotes the psychologist Nancy McWilliams on the "hypomanic" type: "Elated, energetic, self-promoting... work-addicted... lacking a systematic approach.... grand schemes, racing thoughts... constantly 'up' — until exhaustion eventually sets in".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Robinson's sporadic output - three novels and two books of non-fiction in 28 years, with a 24-year gap between the first and second novels - is assumed to be a function of ambition, of her painstaking attempt to tell stories through thought and not action.

The Guardian

Heaps has had to affect a turnaround of his own of course — New England had had a drift of their own in the later Steve Nicol years, and Heaps' painstaking attempt to put some defensive steel in what had become a perenially flaky team, initially looked to be taking two steps back for every step forward.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Mallon said that "her work stands out for its sheer intelligence, its painstaking attempt to discern and describe the world's configuration," and was "quietly dazzling, like looking at handmade paper under a microscope".

The New York Times - Books

This does not prevent Osborne's acolytes in the press from informing us with glee that this latest budget, with its full-frontal assault on tax credits, is all part of the unravelling of Brown's painstaking attempt to alleviate poverty in this country.

The Guardian - Business

Rather it resulted from Mendeleev's painstaking attempt at embracing all the empirical data about chemical elements.

Comptes Rendus Chimie

Those painstaking attempts to recreate the original performances are what define Mr. Silipigni, artistic director and principal conductor for the New Jersey State Opera.

The New York Times

The best and most painstaking attempts to get at the truth of the drone war — like one by the New America foundation — acknowledge the difficulty of the enterprise.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a painstaking attempt" when you want to emphasize the thoroughness, care, and potential difficulty of an effort. It's especially useful when the task involves intricate details or requires a high degree of precision.

Common error

While "a painstaking attempt" is a valid expression, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "a meticulous endeavor" or "a thorough effort" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a painstaking attempt" functions as a noun phrase, where "painstaking" modifies "attempt". Ludwig AI, in line with Ludwig AI's assessment, confirms its role in describing an effort characterized by thoroughness and meticulousness. This makes the noun 'attempt' specific and highlights the quality of the process.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a painstaking attempt" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase in English, denoting an effort characterized by thoroughness and meticulous detail. While not exceedingly frequent, Ludwig AI shows it appears in reliable sources such as The New Yorker, The Guardian, and The New York Times, making it suitable for use in neutral to formal writing. To avoid redundancy, consider alternatives like "a meticulous endeavor" or "a thorough effort". This phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a meticulous endeavor

Replaces "attempt" with "endeavor" and "painstaking" with "meticulous", emphasizing the careful and precise nature of the effort.

a thorough effort

Substitutes "painstaking attempt" with "thorough effort", focusing on the comprehensiveness of the action.

a diligent undertaking

Replaces "attempt" with "undertaking" and "painstaking" with "diligent", highlighting the persistent and dedicated approach.

a careful approach

Focuses on the method used, implying attention to detail and precision.

a detailed investigation

Replaces "attempt" with "investigation" and "painstaking" with "detailed", suggesting a thorough and meticulous examination.

a laborious task

Emphasizes the effort and difficulty involved in the attempt.

a demanding process

Highlights the challenging nature of the attempt.

a strenuous endeavor

Suggests that the effort made was very intense and required a lot of exertion.

an assiduous effort

Highlights the constant and close attention that was given to achieve something.

a conscientious try

Emphasizes the moral aspect and carefulness of the attempt.

FAQs

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

You can use "a painstaking attempt" to describe an effort that requires a lot of detailed and careful work. For example: "After "a painstaking attempt" to solve the complex puzzle, she finally found the solution."

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

You can use alternatives like "a meticulous endeavor", "a thorough effort", or "a diligent undertaking" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a painstaking attempt" or "a painstaking effort"?

Both ""a painstaking attempt"" and "a painstaking effort" are correct, though they have slightly different nuances. "Attempt" implies trying to do something, while "effort" refers to the exertion of energy to achieve something.

What's the difference between "a careful attempt" and "a painstaking attempt"?

"A careful attempt" suggests caution and attention to avoid mistakes, while ""a painstaking attempt"" emphasizes the thoroughness, detail, and potential difficulty of the effort.