an earnest try

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an earnest try" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a sincere or serious attempt to achieve something. Example: "Despite the challenges, she made an earnest try to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

You'll give it an earnest try, but you'll start to resent each other for forming new attachments, for not really "getting" what it's like at your respective schools, for being the reason you're both missing out on important experiences, like the hectic social sorting that's happening right now.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Although many items end up in shopping bags under my desk or donated to charity, I make an earnest attempt to try as many eye creams, lip glosses and nail polishes as possible.

The New York Times

Now, to give Black or White (which Costner himself financed) its due, it does make an honest, earnest try at addressing the considerable racial divide that continues to effect so many facets of life in this country.

Huffington Post

And this is an earnest effort.

The New York Times

And often an earnest attempt is enough.

Huffington Post

Visit duchyoriginals.com for details If you're making a last-ditch attempt to 'detox' before the Christmas parties get underway in earnest, try sipping Choi Time's green tea.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The problem for Clinton is that she herself rarely matches this image she does not appear to most voters an earnest provincial try-hard, a community servant.

The New Yorker

Earnest tried to tamp down the notion that strikes against the Islamic State could have the unintended consequence of bolstering the Syrian government, saying: "We're not interested in trying to help the Assad regime".

The Guardian

There's even an earnest #SelfieToDieFor hashtag trying to educate young people about the risks associated with this kind of social media thirst.

Vice

Once you glanced sidelong at him as one of the student-writers was speaking in an earnest pained way trying to say something nice, encouraging and inoffensive, and you saw that Kroff's face was taut with fury.

Vice

Kneale's Peevay is an earnest, admirable, good-hearted try, but does not fully come alive.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an earnest try" when you want to emphasize the sincerity and seriousness of an attempt, especially when acknowledging potential failure or difficulty. For example, use it when someone has faced challenges but still put in significant effort.

Common error

Avoid using "an earnest try" in extremely casual or informal settings. While grammatically correct, the phrase's formality might sound out of place. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a good try" or "a real effort" in everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an earnest try" functions as a noun phrase, where 'earnest' modifies 'try'. It emphasizes the sincerity and seriousness of the attempt. Ludwig highlights its correctness, supported by real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an earnest try" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a sincere and serious attempt. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, the phrase has rare usage and is more common in formal writing, specifically in news and media contexts. When a less formal tone is required, consider alternatives such as "a good try" or "a real effort". Use "an earnest try" when emphasizing genuine effort and commitment, especially when acknowledging potential challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sincere attempt

Replaces 'earnest' with 'sincere' and 'try' with 'attempt', emphasizing genuineness.

a genuine effort

Substitutes 'earnest try' with 'genuine effort', highlighting the authenticity of the endeavor.

a heartfelt endeavor

Replaces the more neutral 'try' with 'endeavor' and 'earnest' with 'heartfelt', suggesting deep emotional investment.

a conscientious effort

Uses 'conscientious' instead of 'earnest', emphasizing diligence and thoroughness.

a dedicated attempt

Replaces 'earnest' with 'dedicated', highlighting commitment and focus.

a serious undertaking

Changes 'try' to 'undertaking', conveying a sense of importance and gravity.

a committed effort

Similar to 'dedicated attempt', emphasizing a pledge to succeed.

a spirited attempt

Replaces 'earnest' with 'spirited', highlighting enthusiasm and vigor.

a determined effort

Uses 'determined' instead of 'earnest', focusing on resolve and persistence.

a good-faith effort

Replaces 'earnest' with 'good-faith' suggesting honesty and sincerity in the attempt.

FAQs

What does "an earnest try" mean?

The phrase "an earnest try" signifies a sincere and serious attempt to achieve something, indicating genuine effort and commitment.

How can I use "an earnest try" in a sentence?

You might say, "Despite the setbacks, she gave "an earnest try" to complete the project." This emphasizes her genuine effort even if she didn't fully succeed.

What can I say instead of "an earnest try"?

You can use alternatives like "a sincere attempt", "a genuine effort", or "a heartfelt endeavor" depending on the context.

Is "an earnest try" formal or informal?

"An earnest try" leans towards the formal side. In casual conversation, simpler phrases like "a good try" or "a real effort" might be more appropriate.