a preliminary attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a preliminary attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an initial effort or trial made before a more thorough or final version is completed. Example: "This report represents a preliminary attempt to analyze the data collected from the survey."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

A preliminary attempt to tackle uncertainty in the demand is also made.

Energy

It is a preliminary attempt to design an innovative solar-based evaporation system under vacuum.

Desalination

This paper describes a preliminary attempt to develop a methodology for the assessment of structural systems to UNDEX effects.

International Journal of Impact Engineering

A preliminary attempt has been made to describe the clinical profiles of subjects who were thought to benefit from MWMs.

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics

This paper is a preliminary attempt to propose and analyse a global failure criterion for a particular class of adhesively bonded composite-metal joints.

Composites Part B: Engineering

This paper delivers a preliminary attempt to find the optimized caging positions for a three-finger robotic hand designed for home-use logistical environments.

Signal Processing

In this work, we fabricate MgB2 thick film on a stainless steel cylinder using HPCVD to make a preliminary attempt for SMS with MgB2 films.

Physica C: Superconductivity and its Applications

Our work is a preliminary attempt for practicality of high capacity metal oxide anodes in Li-ion batteries used for the electronic devices.

Electrochimica Acta

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

In this paper, a brief, preliminary attempt is made to frame a scientific debate about how functional responses at gamma frequencies in electrophysiological recordings (EEG, MEG, ECoG, and LFP) should be classified and interpreted.

International Journal of Psychophysiology

After a failed, preliminary attempt to record the track with session pianist Phil Coulter at Regent Sound studios in London, Scott reconsidered his approach to the song.

Wikipedia

This study [ 20] was only a very preliminary attempt to confirm the same group's past speculation that the genetic basis for schizophrenia is multiple rare mutational events, perhaps in genes of relevant neuronal pathways [ 19].

Genome Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a preliminary attempt" to clearly signal that the described effort is an early-stage undertaking, and that further development or refinement is expected. This sets appropriate expectations for the scope and completeness of the work.

Common error

Avoid using "a preliminary attempt" when the effort is, in fact, quite comprehensive or definitive. It is important not to undersell achievements or create false impressions of incompleteness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a preliminary attempt" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an appositive to describe the nature of an action or study. It indicates that an effort is in its initial stages. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a preliminary attempt" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an initial effort, often in research or problem-solving contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase signals that the work is exploratory and may require further development. Its frequent use in scientific and news sources demonstrates its suitability for formal communication. Remember to use it when accurately portraying an effort as early-stage, and avoid overstating its significance. Alternatives like "an initial endeavor" or "a tentative approach" can provide subtle shifts in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an initial endeavor

Emphasizes the effort as a starting point in a larger undertaking.

a tentative approach

Highlights the cautious and experimental nature of the effort.

a first stab

An informal way to describe a quick, initial effort, often implying it may not be perfect.

a trial run

Suggests a practice or test effort before a final version.

a pilot study

Specifically refers to a small-scale study conducted to test feasibility before a larger research project.

an exploratory investigation

Highlights the investigative and discovery-oriented nature of the effort.

a test case

Implies the effort is being used to evaluate a concept or method.

a formative stage

Focuses on the developmental aspect of the effort, indicating it's early in the process.

a proof of concept

Emphasizes demonstrating the feasibility of an idea or method.

a groundwork attempt

Focuses on the effort as establishing the base for further actions or construction of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "a preliminary attempt" to introduce an initial effort or study. For example, "This study is "a preliminary attempt" to understand the effects of the new drug."

What are some alternatives to "a preliminary attempt"?

Some alternatives include "an initial endeavor", "a tentative approach", or "a pilot study", depending on the specific context.

Is it okay to use "a preliminary attempt" in formal writing?

Yes, "a preliminary attempt" is suitable for formal writing, especially in scientific or academic contexts, as evidenced by its frequent use in such sources.

What does "a preliminary attempt" imply about the completeness of the work?

Using "a preliminary attempt" suggests that the work is not yet complete or definitive, and that further investigation or refinement is anticipated.