a substantial attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an effort that is significant or considerable in nature. Example: "The team made a substantial attempt to improve the project's outcomes, dedicating extra hours and resources to ensure success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In our script, Onegin arrives late for the duel, as he does in the poem, but he makes a substantial attempt at reconciliation, which Lensky refuses.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In summary, Bandstra (Bandstra 2008) provides a very detailed analysis of the text selected in his volume, but only a very general introduction to the theory behind the analysis, which befits its role as a students' guide to the text, whereas Tatu (Tatu 2008) provides a more substantial attempt at making explicit the lexicogrammar that lies behind his analysis.

Functional Linguistics

"This attack is more symbolic than a real attempt to cause real substantial damage or significant casualties," he said.

The New York Times

Mr. O'Connor also served as chairman of the American Association of Advertising Agencies from 1975 to 1976, and as the agency representative on the steering committee of the National Advertising Review Board, part of the industry's first substantial attempt at self-regulation.

The New York Times

A substantial literature attempts to identify nonexperimental methods that can replicate results of random assignment experiments (Heckman et al. 1999; Bloom et al. 2005; Mueser et al. 2007; Cook et al. 2008; Pirog et al. 2009).

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

This picture is likely to be found in any secondary school in the country that is undergoing substantial attempts at improvement.

The Guardian

Will the crises and fierce debates set off by Brexit, which are likely to be long running and deep, do something to focus attention on these longstanding issues and force some substantial attempts to address them?

The Guardian - Opinion

In combination with the increased expression of the tRNA synthetases, MARS, LARS and RARS it would appear that a substantial yet incomplete attempt was made to promote muscle protein synthesis, similar to that observed for the mitochondria.

Plosone

There is a substantial literature that attempts to explain the choice of a STEM major and the lack of persistence in earning a degree with a STEM major.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

More than 1000 yrs of human intervention and the variety of land uses pose a substantial challenge when attempting to estimate sediment fluxes which is the first requirement to protect fragile wetlands.

Science of The Total Environment

However, we believe that there is a substantial difference between attempting to reduce the financial outlays of purchasing a costly medicine because it is not considered value for money and seeking to develop clearly specified real life evidence to reduce payer's uncertainty about the value of the drug.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a substantial attempt" when you want to emphasize that the effort was significant and noteworthy, regardless of the outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial attempt" when a simpler adjective like "significant" or "serious" would suffice. Ensure the "substantial" truly adds meaning by highlighting the considerable nature of the effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial attempt" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun "attempt". It describes a specific type of effort, one that is significant in magnitude or importance. Ludwig examples show its use in describing efforts towards reconciliation or improvement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

60%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a substantial attempt" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression signifying a noteworthy and considerable effort. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. Predominantly found in scientific and news media sources, it conveys the magnitude and seriousness of an endeavor. When using the phrase, consider whether the adjective "substantial" genuinely adds value by highlighting the scale of the attempt. Alternatives such as ""a considerable effort"" or ""a significant endeavor"" may offer nuanced shades of meaning. Remember to emphasize the genuine, considerable scope of effort when deploying "a substantial attempt".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable effort

Replaces "attempt" with "effort" and "substantial" with "considerable", emphasizing the amount of energy expended.

a significant endeavor

Substitutes "attempt" with "endeavor" and "substantial" with "significant", highlighting the importance and ambition of the undertaking.

a major undertaking

Replaces the adjective "substantial" with "major", focusing on the scale and importance of the effort.

a serious effort

Focuses on the earnestness and importance of the attempt, instead of size.

a determined endeavor

Emphasizes the resolve and persistence behind the attempt.

a notable effort

Highlights the visibility and worthiness of the attempt.

a vigorous attempt

Emphasizes the energy and intensity of the effort.

an ambitious undertaking

Highlights the challenging and far-reaching nature of the effort.

a considerable undertaking

Underscores the scale and complexity of the project or task.

a concerted effort

Stresses the collaborative and coordinated nature of the attempt.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial attempt" to describe a significant effort made towards achieving a goal. For example: "The company made "a substantial attempt" to reduce its carbon footprint."

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

Alternatives include "a considerable effort", "a significant endeavor", or "a major undertaking", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "a substantial attempt" and "a genuine attempt"?

Yes, "a substantial attempt" emphasizes the scale or magnitude of the effort, while "a genuine attempt" focuses on the sincerity and authenticity of the effort.

When is it appropriate to use "a substantial attempt" instead of "a good attempt"?

"A substantial attempt" is suitable when you want to highlight the significant resources, time, or energy invested in the effort. "A good attempt" is a more general term, suitable for any well-intentioned effort.