a valuable attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a valuable attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an effort or endeavor that is considered important or beneficial, often in the context of trying something new or challenging. Example: "Although the project did not succeed, it was a valuable attempt to innovate our processes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The charter is a valuable attempt to define a doctor's obligations — not only to individual patients but also to the health care system as a whole.

The New York Times

The present work has a valuable attempt to fill the gap in the existing studies and is useful for guiding the water pit thermal storage design.

Applied Energy

It just might not have been a lake". Dawn Sumner, a geology professor at the University of California-Davis and a Mars Science Laboratory team member, said that the specificity of the researchers' model makes it a valuable attempt to explain Mount Sharp's origin.

Princeton University

Though it remains difficult now to apprehend just how embattled they felt – what outliers they were in the English art world of the 1930s – this is a valuable attempt to relive what Chambers calls "an important moment" for Nash, "staking out a place for modernist art in an unsympathetic environment".

The Guardian - Arts

A valuable attempt at rectifying this deficiency became available last fall with the publication of a study commissioned by the U.K. government and headed by Sir Nicholas Stern, a respected British economist.

Forbes

Overall, Tatu (Tatu 2008) represents a valuable attempt to apply a systemic functional perspective to the description of the BH clause, and although it is somewhat limited in scope, it represents one of the only attempts at a description of the language's lexicogrammar.

Functional Linguistics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The randomised controlled trial by De La Rosa and colleagues is a timely and valuable attempt to repeat the landmark Leuven studies.

Critical Care

An individual-based model of cumulative culture by Strimling et al. [32] represents a valuable first attempt to understand the microevolutionary basis of this phenomenon, but does not feature the key assumption of functionally dependent cultural traits that are costly to acquire, nor does it produce an initial exponential increase in knowledge.

Plosone

A) Valuable.

Huffington Post

Since pelts were relatively valuable, attempts were made to raise fishers on farms.

Wikipedia

Wrigley Jr. Company, Warren E. Buffett — is a valuable asset in attempting a large takeover.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a valuable attempt" to positively frame an effort, even if the outcome is uncertain. This acknowledges the worth of the try and encourages future efforts.

Common error

Avoid using "a valuable attempt" when the effort clearly failed and caused harm. Acknowledge the intent but be honest about the negative consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a valuable attempt" functions as a noun phrase, with "valuable" acting as an adjective modifying the noun "attempt". As Ludwig AI explains, it describes an effort or endeavor that is considered important or beneficial.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a valuable attempt" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe an effort or endeavor considered important and beneficial. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for positively framing an action, even if the outcome is uncertain. The phrase finds frequent usage in scientific, news, and academic contexts and maintains a neutral to formal tone. While "a valuable attempt" is generally seen as positive, it's crucial to consider the context and avoid using it when the effort caused harm. Alternatives such as "a worthwhile endeavor" or "a commendable effort" can be used for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a worthwhile endeavor

Emphasizes the value of the effort in relation to the benefits it brings.

a commendable effort

Highlights the praiseworthy nature of the attempt, focusing on the positive attributes of the undertaking.

a notable undertaking

Stresses the significance and attention-worthiness of the attempt.

a significant step

Focuses on the importance of the attempt as a progression toward a goal.

a bold initiative

Suggests the attempt is courageous and innovative, with a focus on originality.

a promising start

Emphasizes the potential for future success based on the initial attempt.

a positive move

Indicates that the attempt is likely to lead to beneficial results or improvements.

a constructive approach

Highlights the helpful and productive nature of the attempt, emphasizing problem-solving.

a well-intentioned effort

Focuses on the good intentions behind the attempt, regardless of the outcome.

a genuine stab

Implies a sincere and honest attempt, though perhaps lacking expertise or resources.

FAQs

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

You can use "a valuable attempt" to describe an action or effort considered important or beneficial. For instance, "Although the experiment failed, it was "a valuable attempt" to understand the process better."

What are some alternatives to "a valuable attempt"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a worthwhile endeavor", "a commendable effort", or "a notable undertaking", each with slightly different nuances.

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

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the positive aspects of an effort, even if it didn't fully succeed. This phrase is suitable when acknowledging the worth and potential of the effort.

Is there a negative connotation associated with "a valuable attempt"?

Generally, no. However, using it sarcastically or in situations where the attempt caused harm can create a negative impression. The context is key to how the phrase is perceived.