a strenuous attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a strenuous attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant effort or exertion made to achieve something challenging. Example: "Despite the odds, she made a strenuous attempt to complete the marathon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

During the last year, Austria has made a strenuous attempt to sort things out.

The New York Times

But sometimes the lowered head — and lowered voice and wincing expression — seemed part of a strenuous attempt to restrain a lancing anger.

The New York Times - Magazine

Of course hunks can suffer too, and while his singing is uneven, Mr. Blanchard makes a strenuous attempt to embody the tormented soul of his character, drawn to humanity but repulsive to it.

The New York Times

Former education minister David Laws's Coalition is the first memoir to emerge from around the Conservative-Lib Dem cabinet table and it's a strenuous attempt to defend both his party's record in government and his good friend Nick Clegg.

The Guardian - Books

Long before the two crossed paths at the office, Platt, then a graduate student at Cambridge, picked up Muldoon's 1981 collection "Why Brownlee Left," choosing the poems "Cuba" and "Bran" to embark on, as he puts it, "a strenuous attempt to realize poetic detail in musical gesture, to grow decadent ivy around Paul's magnificent trellis of words".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

There was an added anxiety when Thunderball, in which he resisted a strong urge to kill off Bond once and for all, was published in March 1961, despite a protracted and strenuous attempt by Kevin McClory, an Irish film producer with whom he had initially worked on the story, to secure an injunction.

The Guardian - Books

"If the 'I-don't-mind-people-reading-Twilight-because-it-could-lead-to-higher-things' platitude continues to be trotted out, it is because despite all the blurring that has occurred over recent years, we still have no trouble recognizing the difference between the repetitive formula offering easy pleasure and the more strenuous attempt to engage with the world in new ways," Parks wrote.

The New Yorker

Nor would such an alteration truly move beyond moral evaluation; for such strenuous attempts at objectivity are themselves motivated by a moral commitment to the ideal of objectivity.

SEP

39 40 Despite strenuous attempts to maximise attendance, 28 a third of participants did not attend the exit examination.

British Medical Journal

The council would always make strenuous attempts, alongside other agencies, to protect a child from individuals who it is thought would pose a danger to them".

BBC

However, there are practical limitations to blunting oxidative stress through glycemic control alone, despite strenuous attempts to implement evidence-based guidelines, a majority of patients are unable to achieve the glycemic goals (e.g., A1C <7%) advocated by the American Diabetes Association (11).

Diabetes Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a strenuous attempt", ensure the context clearly indicates the significant effort and potential difficulty involved in the action being described. Choose this phrase when you want to emphasize the demanding nature of the undertaking.

Common error

Avoid using "a strenuous attempt" when the effort is minimal or routine. Reserve this phrase for situations involving considerable exertion or difficulty, as overuse can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a strenuous attempt" functions as a noun phrase, where "strenuous" modifies the noun "attempt." It signifies a significant effort or endeavor. Ludwig's examples confirm its use in various contexts to describe purposeful action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a strenuous attempt" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English, denoting a significant effort to achieve something challenging. Ludwig indicates its primary usage in news and media, scientific, and formal/business contexts. It is considered neutral in tone, making it suitable for various professional settings. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's best reserved for situations where the effort is substantial, avoiding overuse to maintain its impact. Alternatives such as "a vigorous effort" or "a determined endeavor" can offer nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a vigorous effort

Emphasizes the energy and intensity of the effort.

a determined endeavor

Highlights the resolve and persistence behind the undertaking.

an arduous undertaking

Focuses on the difficulty and demanding nature of the task.

a painstaking effort

Stresses the care and attention to detail involved.

a Herculean task

Implies an exceptionally challenging and demanding task, akin to the labors of Hercules.

an all-out effort

Suggests that every possible resource and energy is being used.

a concerted effort

Indicates a collaborative and well-organized attempt.

a laborious process

Highlights the extensive time and effort required.

an ambitious project

Emphasizes the scale and scope of the attempt.

a tough endeavor

Simple way to refer to a significant and challenging attempt.

FAQs

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

You can use "a strenuous attempt" to describe someone's significant effort to achieve something challenging. For example, "She made "a strenuous attempt" to finish the marathon despite the injury."

What are some alternatives to "a strenuous attempt"?

Alternatives include "a vigorous effort", "a determined endeavor", or "an arduous undertaking". Each conveys a slightly different nuance related to effort and difficulty.

When is it appropriate to use "a strenuous attempt" over "a simple try"?

"A strenuous attempt" is appropriate when the effort involves significant difficulty or energy expenditure. "A simple try" is better suited for casual or low-stakes situations.

Is "strenuous attempt" formal or informal?

"Strenuous attempt" is generally considered neutral to formal in tone and appropriate for professional, academic, and news contexts.