an initial attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

"an initial attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a first, introductory effort to do something. For example, "We made an initial attempt to finish the project, but found out that we needed more time and resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

After an initial attempt to go public in 2010, Caesars had its I.P.O. in February 2012.

The New York Times

After an initial attempt to recover from recent losses, leading shares are struggling to cling onto the day's gains.

The Guardian - Business

In the House, Republicans united to defeat an initial attempt to extend unemployment pay for the long-term unemployed.

The New York Times

After studies at the University of Wisconsin and an initial attempt at becoming a painter, Hansberry moved to New York to begin a career as a writer.

The New York Times

The insurgents fought off an initial attempt on Tuesday by the Afghan army to rescue the surviving hostages, the ministry said.

The Guardian

The refractory rating scale presented here is an initial attempt to classify RCM pts.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

This article is only an initial attempt that invites follow-ups, feedback, and critiques.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

The aim of this paper is to provide an initial attempt to cover this gap.

Energy Research & Social Science

The present research constitutes an initial attempt to examine this potential link.

Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry

Cygnus has arrived at the station a week later than planned after an initial attempt last Sunday encountered software problems.

BBC

With this backdrop, in our previous work [35], we made an initial attempt towards the sparse representation of BSIF.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a project or experiment, use "an initial attempt" to clearly indicate the preliminary stage of the work. This helps set expectations and frame subsequent actions.

Common error

Avoid presenting "an initial attempt" as a definitive success. Clearly state that it is a preliminary step and that further work may be required. For example, instead of saying "The initial attempt solved the problem", say "The initial attempt provided valuable insights, but further investigation is needed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an initial attempt" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the action of trying something for the first time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an initial attempt" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that describes a first effort towards a goal. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. It is most commonly found in scientific and news-related sources, with a neutral to formal tone. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the preliminary nature of the effort and avoid overstating its success. Alternatives such as "a preliminary effort" or "a first try" can be used to add variety to your writing. Remember that the word "initial" already implies it's the first try, so "first initial attempt" is redundant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a preliminary effort

Replaces "initial" with "preliminary", emphasizing the introductory nature of the effort.

a first try

Uses simpler language to convey the idea of a first attempt.

an early endeavor

Substitutes "attempt" with "endeavor", suggesting a more ambitious undertaking.

a starting point

Focuses on the beginning or initiation of an action or project.

a test run

Implies a trial or experiment to see if something works.

an exploratory measure

Highlights the investigative nature of the initial action.

a pilot project

Suggests a small-scale, preliminary project.

a trial effort

Combines "trial" and "effort" to emphasize the experimental nature of the attempt.

a first step

Emphasizes the sequential nature of the action, being the first in a series.

a tentative approach

Indicates a cautious and hesitant beginning.

FAQs

How can I use "an initial attempt" in a sentence?

You can use "an initial attempt" to describe a first effort to achieve something. For example, "An initial attempt to resolve the issue failed, but we learned valuable lessons from it."

What's the difference between "an initial attempt" and "a final attempt"?

"An initial attempt" refers to the first try at something, while "a final attempt" indicates the last try, often implying that no further attempts will be made. The former suggests a beginning, and the latter suggests an end.

What can I say instead of "an initial attempt"?

You can use alternatives like "a preliminary effort", "a first try", or "an early endeavor" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "first initial attempt"?

Yes, saying "first initial attempt" is redundant. The word "initial" already implies that it is the first attempt, so adding "first" is unnecessary. It's better to simply say "an initial attempt".