abortive effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "abortive effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an attempt that fails to achieve its intended outcome or goal. Example: "Despite their best intentions, the team's abortive effort to launch the product resulted in significant losses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

An abortive effort to topple the independent government on Jan . 13 , 1991ended in bloodshed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Take Britain's magnificent, if abortive, effort to detach the Ottoman Empire from the Central Powers.

The New York Times - Books

Before this, there had been an abortive effort to shoot in an asylum.

The Guardian - Film

In his book, Mr Talbott describes an abortive effort to persuade Pakistan not to reciprocate India's 1998 nuclear test.

The Economist

To the telephone company they represent absentmindedness, to us, the abortive effort of some silly dreamer trying to get London.

The New Yorker

In "The Missed Marriage," Giuseppe Bonaviri tells of a brother's abortive effort to find a suitor for an unmarried sister.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Individually, they made abortive efforts to protect the boys.

The New York Times

Most of these abortive efforts are simple testaments to Pota's failure of imagination.

The New York Times - Books

His heroin addiction has rendered him impotent and the plot concerns Holly's abortive efforts to save him from himself and the oddities they meet on the way.

The Guardian

This new plan is the latest in a series of often abortive efforts to erode the Taliban from the bottom up.

The New Yorker

Yet politicians have been soliciting similar proposals since 2007, without bringing any to fruition; abortive efforts at Peterhead go back even further.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "abortive effort" to describe situations where an initiative or attempt was started but did not succeed. It often implies a sense of disappointment or wasted resources. For example: "The company's "abortive effort" to enter the new market cost them millions."

Common error

While "abortive effort" is suitable for professional writing, it might sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "failed attempt" or "unsuccessful try" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abortive effort" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an attempt or endeavor that fails to achieve its intended outcome. Ludwig provides many examples demonstrating its usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

4%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "abortive effort" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that describes an attempt or initiative that has failed to achieve its intended outcome. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is most frequently used in News & Media and Encyclopedia contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When writing, consider the level of formality required and whether a simpler alternative, such as "failed attempt", might be more appropriate for informal settings. While the phrase is suitable for professional writing, it might sound overly formal in casual conversation. The use of "abortive effort" often implies a sense of disappointment or wasted resources, making it a strong choice for conveying unsuccessful endeavors in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsuccessful attempt

Focuses on the lack of success in the endeavor.

failed undertaking

Highlights that the entire project or task did not succeed.

fruitless endeavor

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

vain attempt

Stresses the futility and ultimate ineffectiveness of the attempt.

futile gesture

Implies that the action was pointless and unlikely to achieve anything.

miscarried plan

Highlights that the original plan went wrong or was executed poorly.

flawed strategy

Indicates that the approach used had inherent weaknesses that led to failure.

stillborn project

Emphasizes that the project never truly came to life or achieved its goals.

thwarted ambition

Focuses on the frustration of one's aspirations being blocked or prevented.

collapsed initiative

Points to a project or effort that started but then failed dramatically.

FAQs

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

You can use "abortive effort" to describe a failed attempt or undertaking. For example, "Their "abortive effort" to launch the new product resulted in significant financial losses."

What are some alternatives to "abortive effort"?

Some alternatives to "abortive effort" include "unsuccessful attempt", "failed undertaking", or "fruitless endeavor".

Is "abortive effort" the same as "aborted effort"?

While similar, "abortive effort" suggests a failure to achieve a goal, whereas "aborted effort" implies that the attempt was deliberately stopped before completion. The nuance depends on whether the attempt failed on its own or was intentionally halted.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "abortive effort"?

Use "abortive effort" when you want to convey that an attempt, though initiated, did not succeed and perhaps resulted in some degree of loss or disappointment. It's appropriate in formal and professional contexts.