a thorough attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a thorough attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a comprehensive or detailed effort made to achieve something. Example: "After a thorough attempt to solve the problem, we finally found a solution that worked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

MacFarquhar's obituary is a thorough attempt to map the intersections between those two extremes.

The New York Times

("Her series of Johns Drawings are a cathartic confession of her past and a thorough attempt to reclaim power by objectifying these very clients").

The New York Times - Magazine

Credits is a thorough attempt to quantify the Quora value exchange, so users know (more) exactly where they stand.

TechCrunch

Where should I go now?" Even a thorough attempt from the professionals to identify a current affiliation for the patient does not always succeed.

BMC Health Services Research

However, the possibility of a type II (false negative) error must be considered and a thorough attempt was made to identify clinical heterogeneity or sources of bias.

Critical Care

Targeting vulnerable groups, such as socioeconomically disadvantaged adolescents or children with smoking family members should be combined with a thorough attempt to respond to concurrent emotional/behavioural problems in order to both promote a smoke-free lifestyle and enhance general wellbeing and functioning.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

*The following responses were available for these questions: (1 3) Yes, a fairly thorough attempt was made; Yes, several steps were taken; Yes, a few steps were taken; No, not at all/Not stated/Can't tell.

BMJ Open

They were followed by a remarkably thorough attempt to sanitize the house — including pouring bleach down drains, the police said, as little by little word of the attacks trickled to the police.

The New York Times

Of these, Decker et al. (2013) is the only thorough attempt to explain the decline in an employment dynamics series, in their case, the annual job creation and job destruction rates from the Business Dynamics Statistics.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

So far, the most thorough attempt to retrieve information from directly sequencing an environmental DNA dominated by one species indicated very little variability in gene content among the lineages present in it [ 6] although a considerable sexual exchange was detected among lineages within the population.

BMC Genomics

The Daily Beast made the most thorough attempt so far to explain it, by talking to a couple of 4channers who said the whole thing was a gleeful attempt to "reclaim" Pepe from the "normies" like Katy Perry.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a thorough attempt", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific aspect the attempt is thorough in. This adds clarity and emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the effort.

Common error

Avoid using "a thorough attempt" if the actual effort was limited or lacked sufficient depth. Ensure your description aligns with the actual scope and intensity of the attempt to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thorough attempt" functions as a noun phrase that describes an action or effort. The adjective "thorough" modifies the noun "attempt", indicating that the effort was comprehensive and detailed. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is used to describe a conscientious action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

56%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a thorough attempt" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a comprehensive and detailed effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and academia. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly specifies what aspect the attempt is thorough in, avoiding overstatements about the effort's comprehensiveness. Alternatives like ""a meticulous attempt"" or ""a comprehensive effort"" can offer nuanced emphasis based on the intended meaning. The phrase demonstrates both grammatical correctness and versatility across different writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a meticulous attempt

Emphasizes precision and attention to detail in the effort.

a comprehensive effort

Focuses on the inclusiveness and completeness of the effort.

a painstaking endeavor

Highlights the care and diligence involved, often implying difficulty.

a diligent effort

Stresses the persistent and careful nature of the attempt.

a detailed investigation

Specific to investigations, highlighting the depth of scrutiny.

a complete analysis

Focuses on achieving a full and exhaustive understanding.

an exhaustive study

Emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the research.

a full-scale effort

Indicates a large and extensive undertaking.

an in-depth exploration

Highlights the thoroughness and profundity of the analysis.

a profound examination

Emphasizes the depth and significance of the scrutiny.

FAQs

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

You can use "a thorough attempt" to describe a comprehensive effort to achieve something. For example, "The team made "a thorough attempt" to fix the issue, but it persisted".

What are some alternatives to "a thorough attempt"?

Alternatives include "a comprehensive effort", "a meticulous attempt", or "a diligent effort", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a thorough attempt" or "a comprehensive attempt"?

Both phrases are correct, but "a thorough attempt" emphasizes detail and meticulousness, while "a comprehensive attempt" stresses completeness. The better choice depends on which aspect you want to highlight.

What's the difference between "a thorough attempt" and "a serious attempt"?

"A serious attempt" indicates sincerity and intent, while "a thorough attempt" describes the depth and detail of the effort. You can make "a serious attempt" that isn't particularly thorough, and vice versa.