a tough attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tough attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort that is challenging or difficult to accomplish. Example: "Despite the odds, she made a tough attempt to climb the mountain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Collins made a tough attempt to get the G.O.P. out of the situation it had put itself in, but it is hardly the Party of people like her these days — moderate northeasterners of either gender.

The New Yorker

So when corruption investigations were opened into state-owned PetroChina in August, experts saw not only a tough attempt to rein in a powerful vested interest group but also an attack on proteges of former security chief Zhou Yongkang, who had crossed Xi during a factional power struggle last year.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In launching his first ad of the election season, Meek unloaded a tough attack in his attempt to expose "the real Jeff Grene".

Huffington Post

Trout's southpaw style gave Cotto trouble throughout, as Cotto had a tough time attempting to square up the champion and attack him with any consistency.

The New York Times - Sports

New Munster coach Anthony Foley will face a tough task in attempting to steer his side to the knockout stages although Leinster's task looks to be considerably easier than their two Irish rivals.

BBC

But bad sex writing is often a tough guy act – an attempt to intimidate the reader with shocking detail – whereas good sex writers invite the reader to explore strange territory.

The Guardian - Opinion

For American orchestras, however, he remains a tough sell, despite periodic attempts to whip up the same enthusiasm that has long attended his contemporaries Mahler and Sibelius.

The New Yorker

With a personal fortune of some $250m and a record of closing businesses as well as starting them, Mr Romney was always a tough sell; but his attempts to suck up to these voters have been comically hamfisted (he even reassured carworkers that his wife owned a couple of Cadillacs).

The Economist

10 01: As far as Mr Clinton's speech, I would say that was a fair attempt at a tough task.

The Economist

It is a tough question the justices will attempt to answer in a few months.

The Economist

She made a 4-foot par saver at No. 10 and a 6-footer at the next hole after blowing a birdie attempt past a tough pin placement.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a tough attempt", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the attempt challenging. Provide specific details about the obstacles or difficulties involved to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a tough attempt" when a simpler, more direct approach would suffice. Overusing intensifiers can weaken your writing. Choose precise language that accurately reflects the level of difficulty without exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tough attempt" functions as a noun phrase, where 'tough' modifies 'attempt'. It highlights the challenging nature of an effort. According to Ludwig, this phrase is used to describe undertakings that require considerable effort or are fraught with difficulty.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a tough attempt" effectively communicates the challenging nature of an undertaking. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and primarily found in news and media contexts. While not a frequent phrase, it accurately conveys difficulty and effort. For alternatives, consider "a difficult endeavor" or "a challenging effort" for similar meanings. Remember to ensure the context warrants the use of such descriptive language to avoid overstating the difficulty. Overall, "a tough attempt" serves as a useful phrase for conveying the demanding nature of an action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficult endeavor

Replaces "attempt" with "endeavor" for a more formal tone, emphasizing the effort required.

a challenging effort

Substitutes "tough" with "challenging" to highlight the demanding nature of the attempt.

a strenuous undertaking

Uses "strenuous undertaking" to convey the high level of energy and effort involved.

an arduous task

Replaces "attempt" with "task" and "tough" with "arduous" to emphasize the difficulty and laboriousness.

a demanding pursuit

Uses "demanding pursuit" to highlight the exacting nature of the effort.

a formidable undertaking

Replaces "tough" with "formidable" to stress the significant challenges involved.

a grueling effort

Substitutes "tough" with "grueling" to highlight the exhausting nature of the attempt.

a laborious endeavor

Uses "laborious endeavor" to emphasize the hard work and effort required.

a Herculean effort

Employs "Herculean effort" to convey an extraordinary level of strength and determination.

a bold endeavor

Highlights the courageous and daring nature of the attempt, moving away from just difficulty.

FAQs

What does "a tough attempt" mean?

The phrase "a tough attempt" describes an effort or undertaking that is difficult and challenging to accomplish. It suggests that significant effort and determination are required to succeed.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a tough attempt"?

It is appropriate to use "a tough attempt" when describing a situation where someone is trying to achieve something that presents significant obstacles or difficulties. This could be in the context of a competition, a project, or any other endeavor that requires substantial effort.

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

You can use alternatives like "a difficult endeavor", "a challenging effort", or "a strenuous undertaking" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "a tough attempting"?

No, "a tough attempting" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrase is "a tough attempt". "Attempting" is a verb form (present participle), while "attempt" is a noun. You can, however, say "attempting something tough".