a realistic attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a realistic attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing efforts or endeavors that are practical and achievable within certain constraints. Example: "The team made a realistic attempt to meet the project deadline, considering the limited resources available."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"That reluctance, and Ford's commitment to failed technology, cannot be accepted as a realistic attempt to solve the obvious safety problem confronting Ford: the massive failure of distributor-mounted T.F.I. modules due to excessive heat and thermal stress".

The New York Times

The legislation promises to serve more as a political and policy statement by House Republicans than a realistic attempt to engage President Barack Obama and Democrats, who control the Senate, in any serious effort to further cut the deficit.

The Guardian - Business

As soon as the illusion is enjoyed, therefore, it gives birth not to a realistic attempt to acquire virtue, but to the sexual seduction fantasy mentioned earlier.

SEP

The ship line or tour concessionaire on board do not make a realistic attempt to secure reasonable land or air tours for passengers.

Los Angeles Times

The budget legislation promises to serve more as an election-year political and policy statement by House Republicans than a realistic attempt to engage Obama and Democrats in any serious effort to further cut the deficit.

Huffington Post

In case a swimmer wants to participate in the 'English Channel Swim', she/he first needs to fill in an enquiry form, in which she/he has to demonstrate his/her efforts of training to make a realistic attempt to meet the requirements to cross the 'English Channel'.

BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Mr. Spanta, the national security adviser, countered that any realistic attempt to end a war involves compromise.

The New York Times

Carlile's report, issued in November, found social services and other local agencies "failed to co-ordinate any realistic attempt to address the problems" caused by the brothers, who had been placed in foster care by Doncaster and who had a long history of violence and antisocial behaviour.

The Guardian

Hence, in a second, more realistic attempt, we performed a new set of simulations accounting for the observed diversity of admixture values derived from STRUCTURE (see Additional file 3).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

In a second submission, to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in November, Colonel Abraham explained that he was "not aware of any realistic attempts" to "identify or even attempt to bring before the tribunal witnesses or their statements," and concluded that the whole process "was designed to conduct tribunals without witnesses other than the accused detainee".

The New York Times

Recently, a consensus on the definition of PORs (the Bologna criteria) [ 7] was published as the first realistic attempt by a scientific community (ESHRE) to standardize the definition of POR.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a realistic attempt" to convey that an undertaking is grounded in practical considerations and has a reasonable chance of success.

Common error

Avoid using "a realistic attempt" when describing a completely improbable or fantastical scenario, as this creates a contradiction in terms.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a realistic attempt" functions as a noun phrase, where 'realistic' modifies 'attempt'. It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, describing an action or plan considered practical and achievable. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a realistic attempt" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe efforts or endeavors that are practical and achievable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, science, and academic contexts, indicating a neutral register. While numerous alternatives exist, such as ""a practical endeavor"" or ""a feasible effort"", the best choice depends on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey. Remember to ensure that the context provides a clear understanding of what constitutes 'realistic' within that situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a practical endeavor

Emphasizes the practicality and feasibility of the undertaking.

a feasible effort

Highlights the possibility and achievability of the attempt.

a viable try

Focuses on the potential for success and the workability of the approach.

a sensible endeavor

Implies a reasonable and well-thought-out undertaking.

a pragmatic approach

Stresses the realistic and sensible nature of the method.

a down-to-earth effort

Suggests a grounded and practical approach without fanciful ideas.

a sound approach

Highlights the well-reasoned and reliable nature of the attempt.

a credible effort

Emphasizes the believability and trustworthiness of the undertaking.

a genuine effort

Focuses on the sincerity and authenticity of the attempt.

a serious try

Stresses the earnestness and dedication involved in the attempt.

FAQs

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

You can use "a realistic attempt" to describe an action or plan that is practical and achievable given the current circumstances. For example, "The company made "a realistic attempt" to reduce emissions by investing in renewable energy".

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

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a practical endeavor", "a feasible effort", or "a pragmatic approach".

Is it better to say "a realistic attempt" or "an attempt to be realistic"?

"A realistic attempt" describes the nature of the attempt itself, while "an attempt to be realistic" describes the intention behind the attempt. The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

What makes an attempt "realistic"?

A realistic attempt is characterized by a careful consideration of available resources, potential obstacles, and the likelihood of success. It avoids overly optimistic or idealistic assumptions.