abortive attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "abortive attempt" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a failed effort or an unsuccessful endeavor. For example, "John's abortive attempt to fix the broken appliance ended with it being worse off than it was before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An abortive attempt to start an urban institute at The New School.

Cornell University

After an abortive attempt to force Lessard to resign, Lepage finally abandoned the company in 1989.

The Guardian

I already made an abortive attempt – years ago I bought an alto sax.

The Guardian - Music

He was sent to England in an abortive attempt to bring him to trial.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After an abortive attempt to introduce trade monopolies, Ibrāhīm encouraged European traders by maintaining better security.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Paul III, after an abortive attempt at reform, had introduced the Roman Inquisition in 1542.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Duffy was seized just before an abortive attempt at insurrection (August 1848) and imprisoned until 1849.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The brothers' "road" adventures begin with their first abortive attempt to leave Cincinnati.

The New York Times

…other nationalists in an abortive attempt to kill French guests at a banquet.

Britannica

In the 1950's, an abortive attempt was made to have television stars read courtesy reminders over the loudspeakers.

The New York Times

Then, in December of 1992, the government moved in, in an abortive attempt to crush the Islamic groups.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "abortive attempt" to describe a situation where an initial effort was made, but it was cut short or failed to achieve its intended goal. It implies a sense of incompletion or premature termination.

Common error

Avoid using "abortive attempt" in very casual settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "failed try" or "unsuccessful effort" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abortive attempt" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "abortive" modifies the noun "attempt". It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a specific instance of a failed or prematurely terminated effort. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

34%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

15%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "abortive attempt" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that describes a failed or prematurely terminated effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a noun phrase, combining the adjective "abortive" with the noun "attempt". It commonly appears in news articles, encyclopedias, and academic texts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When writing, consider using simpler alternatives like "failed attempt" in informal contexts. The meaning is focused on the incompletion of the process more than the fact that something didn't work out.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed attempt

Focuses directly on the failure of the attempt, without necessarily implying premature termination.

unsuccessful endeavor

A more formal way of describing a failed undertaking, suitable for professional or academic contexts.

fruitless effort

Highlights the lack of positive results or outcomes from the effort.

futile endeavor

Emphasizes the pointlessness of the attempt, suggesting it was doomed from the start.

botched attempt

Suggests the attempt failed due to incompetence or poor execution.

miscarried plan

Implies a plan that went wrong or didn't achieve its intended outcome.

stillborn project

Describes a project that failed to develop or come to fruition.

unsuccessful bid

Specifically refers to a failed attempt to achieve something competitive, like winning an auction or election.

thwarted effort

Indicates that the effort was blocked or prevented from succeeding by external forces.

ill-fated attempt

Suggests the attempt was destined to fail due to bad luck or unfortunate circumstances.

FAQs

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

You can use "abortive attempt" to describe a failed or unsuccessful effort, such as "The government's "abortive attempt" to remove the fuel subsidy was a sign of its more straitened finances."

What are some alternatives to "abortive attempt"?

Alternatives include "failed attempt", "unsuccessful endeavor", or "fruitless effort" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "abortive failed attempt"?

Yes, saying "abortive failed attempt" is redundant because "abortive" already implies failure. It's best to use either "abortive attempt" or "failed attempt".

What's the difference between "abortive attempt" and "unsuccessful attempt"?

"Abortive attempt" suggests that the attempt was prematurely terminated or cut short, while "unsuccessful attempt" simply means that the attempt did not achieve its goal, regardless of whether it was completed.