a serious attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serious attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing efforts or endeavors that are earnest and significant in nature. Example: "The team made a serious attempt to address the issues raised in the report."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was a serious attempt," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet it is a serious attempt to tarnish him.

The New York Times - Books

"It's a serious attempt to clarify a very complex regulation".

The New York Times - Magazine

"Not a serious attempt, a bottle of paracetamol..."...

The Guardian - Books

I won't fail anyone who submits a serious attempt at every assignment.

Stanford University

"Japan Works is a serious attempt to explore the social traits of Japanese industrial relations.

Cornell University

The ACA is a serious attempt to assure everyone access to health care coverage.

Stanford University

But there's never been a serious attempt to follow kids through college.

The New York Times

But this does represent a serious attempt to tame the city's traffic problem.

The Economist

To the Editor: This appears to be a serious attempt to "professionalize" teaching.

The New York Times

One Liberal Democrat peer said: "There will be a serious attempt to amend the Bill.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a serious attempt" to convey that an effort was made with considerable intention and focus. This phrase is suitable when you want to emphasize the level of commitment involved in an action.

Common error

Avoid using "a serious attempt" when the effort was clearly half-hearted or insincere. Using the phrase in such contexts can undermine your credibility and appear disingenuous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious attempt" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in denoting a genuine and earnest effort towards a specific goal. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a serious attempt" denotes a genuine and focused effort. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and widely used. It functions as a noun phrase, communicating commitment and intent across various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific domains. While generally neutral to formal, its presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and academic institutions reinforces its reliability. Related phrases include "a determined effort" and "a genuine endeavor", offering similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. Be sure to use it when you need to denote commitment to a task.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A determined effort

Emphasizes the resolve and firmness of the effort.

A genuine endeavor

Highlights the sincerity and authenticity of the undertaking.

A concerted effort

Suggests a collaborative and well-organized approach.

A significant undertaking

Focuses on the importance and scale of the project.

An earnest try

Implies sincerity and dedication in the effort made.

A resolute approach

Stresses the unwavering and decisive manner of tackling something.

A vigorous pursuit

Suggests an active and energetic attempt to achieve something.

A committed initiative

Emphasizes dedication and proactive engagement.

An ambitious project

Highlights the scope and level of challenge in the attempt.

A thoroughgoing endeavor

Indicates an extremely comprehensive and complete effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "a serious attempt" to describe an earnest and focused effort. For example, "The company made "a serious attempt" to reduce its carbon footprint."

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

You can use alternatives like "a determined effort", "a genuine endeavor", or "a concerted effort depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a serious attempt" or "an serious attempt"?

"A serious attempt" is correct. The article "a" is used before consonant sounds, while "an" is used before vowel sounds. "Serious" begins with a consonant sound.

What's the difference between "a serious attempt" and "a half-hearted attempt"?

"A serious attempt" implies a sincere and dedicated effort, while "a half-hearted attempt" suggests a lack of enthusiasm and commitment.