a run at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a run at" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate an attempt or effort to achieve something, often in a competitive context. Example: "After several years of hard work, she finally got a run at the championship title."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We'll make a run at this thing".

The New York Times - Sports

The word "real" — that's a run at the reality trick.

The New York Times

Sometimes we've even taken a run at doing that.

The New York Times

Democrats insisted they would make a run at his seat.

The New York Times

President Barack Obama also took a run at reform.

The New York Times

They're taking a run at Harper for sure.

The Washington Post

Temperatures may make a run at 60 early next week.

The Washington Post

"We made a heck of a run at it.

The New York Times - Sports

Anyone fancy taking a run at it, then?

The Guardian - Sport

"Trading Pierzynski enabled us to make a run at them".

The New York Times - Sports

Now the Giants are making a run at the playoffs.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a run at" when you want to convey a sense of active pursuit or competition. For instance, "The company is making "a run at" the market leader position" is more dynamic than "The company is attempting to reach the market leader position".

Common error

While "a run at" is versatile, it can sound less formal than alternatives like "an attempt to" or "an effort to" in academic or business writing. Consider your audience and the desired tone before using it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a run at" functions as a noun phrase often used as part of a verb phrase. It typically signifies an attempt or effort to achieve a specific goal, often in competitive situations. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates trying to achieve something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a run at" is a common and versatile expression that signifies an attempt or effort to achieve a goal, often in a competitive environment. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct. While predominantly used in news and media, its informality should be considered in more formal contexts. Alternatives such as "an attempt at" or "a shot at" may be more suitable depending on the desired tone. The phrase enjoys considerable usage across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Washington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an attempt at

Replaces "run" with a more general term for trying, suitable for any context.

a shot at

Suggests an opportunity or chance to try something.

an effort to

Emphasizes the work or energy put into trying something.

a try for

A straightforward synonym for attempting to achieve something.

a stab at

Implies a less refined or more spontaneous attempt.

a go at

A more informal synonym for trying.

a crack at

Similar to "a shot at", implying an attempt to solve a problem or achieve a goal.

an approach to

Focuses on the method or strategy used in attempting something.

a pursuit of

Highlights the act of actively seeking to achieve something.

an endeavor to

A more formal way of saying "an attempt to", often used in serious or ambitious contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "a run at" in a sentence?

You can use "a run at" to indicate an attempt or effort to achieve something. For example, "The team is making "a run at" the championship this year".

What's the difference between "a run at" and "an attempt at"?

While both phrases indicate trying to achieve something, "a run at" often implies a more active or competitive effort, whereas "an attempt at" is more general.

What can I say instead of "a run at"?

You can use alternatives like "a shot at", "an effort to", or "a try for" depending on the specific context.

Is "a run at" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "a run at" might be less formal than alternatives like "an endeavor to" or "an attempt at" in certain formal contexts. Consider your audience and the desired tone.