a sincere attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sincere attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an effort that is genuine and heartfelt, often in the context of trying to achieve something or improve a situation. Example: "Despite the challenges, her proposal was a sincere attempt to address the community's needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

For this reason, Haidt enjoins liberals to make a sincere attempt to listen to conservatives and appreciate sincerely the values they hold dear, and even more, to see that that they are generally necessary for any society to hang together.

Huffington Post

Where we come from, calling someone "ma'am" is a sincere attempt at courtesy.

The New York Times

Cheerless and voyeuristic, "Clip" (which was banned in Russia) seems a sincere attempt to portray a lost and disaffected generation.

The New York Times

But hedging without a sincere attempt to open up a dialogue risks feeding China's resentment and transforming competition into conflict.

The New York Times

But since then there has been a sincere attempt by Obama and the Government to develop a clear strategy.

Independent

Some supporters say the move signals a sincere attempt by Bishop Murphy to reform the process and start anew.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

She eventually became convinced that it was the better choice and found that covering her face was a more sincere attempt to obey God than to merely cover her hair.

The New York Times

Knight Moves (not to be confused with the decent 1975 Gene Hackman crime thriller, Night Moves) arrived in 1992, and was an overly sincere attempt to entwine the game with a serial killer noir.

The Guardian - Film

Andrew Johnston's article on Jean Vigo and "L'Atalante" ["Rescuing a Romantic Epic from Obscurity," June 11] is a welcome and sincere attempt to bring to the attention of film lovers an unjustly neglected master and his greatest masterpiece.

The New York Times

This video is the one truly sour note in an otherwise obviously sincere attempt to provide a laudable and definitive overview of our human origins.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

"This initiative should be viewed as a genuine and sincere attempt to create the conditions in which a conflict free environment can flourish whereby all are treated with respect and dignity is guaranteed," the statement added.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sincere attempt" to convey genuine effort and commitment. It adds credibility and emphasizes the positive intention behind an action.

Common error

Avoid using "a sincere attempt" sarcastically or in contexts where the effort is clearly half-hearted. Ensure the situation genuinely reflects a dedicated effort to prevent undermining your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sincere attempt" functions as a noun phrase, where "sincere" modifies the noun "attempt". It typically acts as a subject complement or object, describing the nature of an action or initiative. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sincere attempt" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a genuine and earnest effort. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatility. It is most commonly found in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. Related phrases include "a genuine effort" and "an earnest endeavor", offering nuanced alternatives. When using this phrase, ensure the context genuinely reflects dedicated effort to maintain credibility. The phrase serves to assure an audience of good intentions and commitment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a genuine effort

Replaces "sincere" with "genuine", emphasizing authenticity.

an honest effort

Replaces "sincere" with "honest", focusing on the integrity of the effort.

an earnest endeavor

Substitutes both "sincere" and "attempt" with "earnest" and "endeavor", offering a more formal tone.

a conscientious effort

Emphasizes the diligence and thoroughness of the effort, replacing "sincere" with "conscientious".

a heartfelt try

Replaces "sincere" with "heartfelt", highlighting emotional investment, and "attempt" with "try", which is more informal.

a bona fide effort

Uses the Latin term "bona fide" for "sincere", adding a layer of formality and emphasis on good faith.

a well-intentioned effort

Focuses on the positive intentions behind the attempt, even if the outcome is uncertain.

a determined effort

Highlights the resolve and firmness of purpose behind the attempt.

a spirited effort

Emphasizes the enthusiasm and energy invested in the effort.

a serious undertaking

Replaces "attempt" with "undertaking", suggesting a more significant and committed endeavor, and "sincere" with "serious", focusing on the importance of the action.

FAQs

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

You can use "a sincere attempt" to describe efforts made with genuine intention. For example, "The company's new policy is "a sincere attempt" to improve employee satisfaction."

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

You can use alternatives like "a genuine effort", "an earnest endeavor", or "an honest effort" depending on the context.

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

Both phrases are correct, but they emphasize different aspects. "A sincere attempt" highlights the genuineness and honesty of the effort, while "a serious attempt" emphasizes the importance and dedication involved.

What's the difference between "a sincere attempt" and "a feeble attempt"?

"A sincere attempt" suggests a genuine and earnest effort, while "a feeble attempt" implies a weak or ineffective effort. The key difference lies in the strength and quality of the effort.