a valid attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a valid attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort or endeavor that is reasonable, acceptable, or legitimate in a given context. Example: "Although the results were not what we expected, it was a valid attempt to solve the complex problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

While it may not be an episode of Skins, it's still a valid attempt to portray teen life realistically, as Malachy and his wild mate Luke (Robert Sheehan) find themselves competing for the affections of new-girl-on-the-block Michelle (Kimberley Nixon).

Independent

Gaypon is a valid attempt at creating a groundswell of community support for local businesses that have demonstrated a desire for equality in all their business practices by rewarding them with new customers.

TechCrunch

16 Although this reopened a global debate on ACT safety, most attention focused on the design weaknesses of the study, detracting from a valid attempt to highlight the need to exclude any safety concerns systematically.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Clever adjustments for reporting bias were made in some cases, though the nature of source data too often prohibits any valid attempt.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

At the very least, the study represents a statistically valid attempt to calculate the dreadful things that have happened, and continue to happen.

The Economist

The best valid attempt was taken for analysis.

BMC Public Health

As we have had "three valid attempts" to deliver (though I don't consider any of them valid as it failed to find the letterbox) it now wants me to collect the parcel myself.

The Guardian - Money

How do you define your personality?' His gamers in JPod define themselves, variously, through largely valid attempts to use humour and trivia to cope with mild degrees of autism.

The Guardian - Books

Usually about 8 eight attempts were necessary to obtain five valid attempts.

European Journal of Applied Physiology

It's certainly a valid argument to attempt.

Huffington Post

A possible reason could be the fact that we had five instead of six values for knee extensor MRTD because one subject was not able to perform a valid voluntary MRTD attempt without countermovement or pre-tension after the suspension period.

European Journal of Applied Physiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a valid attempt" to acknowledge effort even when the outcome is uncertain. It is especially effective when providing constructive feedback.

Common error

Avoid using "a valid attempt" as a perfunctory statement. Ensure it reflects a genuine assessment of the effort's merits and context. Overuse can diminish its impact and appear insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a valid attempt" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object. Ludwig AI confirms its use to describe efforts that are justifiable and reasonable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a valid attempt" is a noun phrase used to describe an effort that is considered reasonable and justifiable. While grammatically correct and understandable, it is relatively rare in occurrence. Ludwig AI analysis shows that it is often used in both science and news reporting to evaluate actions and experiments, often in context that outcomes weren't successful but the effort was in good faith. Remember to employ this phrase judiciously, ensuring that your assessment remains accurate and sincere. You can use alternatives like "a reasonable effort" or "a legitimate endeavor" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reasonable effort

Focuses on the effort being sensible and justified.

a legitimate endeavor

Highlights the lawfulness and acceptability of the undertaking.

a worthy try

Emphasizes the value and merit in making an attempt.

a genuine effort

Stresses the sincerity and authenticity of the attempt.

a plausible approach

Shifts focus to the believability and feasibility of the method used.

a sound undertaking

Indicates that the attempt is well-founded and sensible.

a credible initiative

Highlights the trustworthiness and reliability of the attempt.

a defensible action

Suggests the attempt can be justified or supported with reasoning.

a supportable claim

Shifts the focus to providing evidence or justification for an assertion.

a justifiable measure

Focuses on the attempt as an action that is morally right or reasonable.

FAQs

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

You can use "a valid attempt" to describe an action or effort that is reasonable and justifiable, even if it doesn't fully succeed. For example, "The proposed solution, while not perfect, was "a valid attempt" to address the problem".

What are some alternatives to "a valid attempt"?

Alternatives include "a reasonable effort", "a legitimate endeavor", or "a worthy try". The best choice depends on the specific context and the aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it always positive to describe something as "a valid attempt"?

While generally positive, describing something as "a valid attempt" can also imply that it wasn't entirely successful. The tone depends on the context and how it's followed up. For example, "It was "a valid attempt", but further refinement is needed" suggests there's room for improvement.

When is it appropriate to use "a valid attempt"?

It's appropriate when you want to acknowledge the merits of an effort, even if it didn't achieve the desired outcome. It suggests that the attempt was reasonable and well-intentioned, making it suitable for constructive feedback and positive reinforcement. It's also suitable to say something like "genuine effort".