an initial attempt at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an initial attempt at" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the first effort or trial made towards achieving something. Example: "This report represents an initial attempt at understanding the complex dynamics of climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

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

In finance, an initial attempt at using brain studies to model markets was put forth in a recent paper by the economist Andrew Lo.

MIT Technology Review

It constituted an initial attempt at looking at the content and the anticipated effects across different approaches to teacher development in Mexico.

International Journal of Educational Development

This study represents an initial attempt at exploring the characteristics of graduate programs in nursing for non-nurses (GPNNNs), their students, and real and potential regulatory concerns.

Journal of Nursing Regulation

Although an initial attempt at federal regulation was declared unconstitutional, see the Trade-Mark Cases, 100 U.S. 82, 25 L.Ed. 550 (1879), trademarks have been covered by a comprehensive federal statutory scheme since the passage of the Lanham Act in 1946.

Harvard University

Last week, in an initial attempt at a test for texture, Mr. Klemm and Mr. Arnold, with Audrey Saunders of the Pegu Club and Nils Norén, a vice president of the French Culinary Institute, had four bartenders shake identical daiquiri mixtures.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

However, with evidence for localised magma depletion, an initial attempt could begin with holes located at previous eruption sites.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

In June, the utility company in charge of decommissioning the plant which was ravaged by a tsunami in March 2011 indicated that its initial attempt at installing a similar structure had flopped.

Vice

Using a bioinformatics approach, our initial attempt at discovering putative gene fusions relied on analyzing single-end reads and identifying reads that aligned across exons of two different genes.

BMC Medical Genomics

And it is as a contribution to that process that the Innocenti Research Centre has published this initial attempt at a multi-dimensional overview of child well-being in the countries of the OEC D.

Unicef

Mr. McLeod told a frustrated student about his initial attempt at the standing-block chop, which simulates felling a tree.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an initial attempt at", clearly state what the attempt is directed towards. This provides context and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "an initial attempt at" without specifying the specific action or goal that was being attempted. For example, instead of saying "There was an initial attempt at resolution", specify "There was "an initial attempt at" mediating the dispute".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an initial attempt at" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a noun and preposition. It modifies a noun, indicating that something is the first effort or trial towards achieving a specific purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an initial attempt at" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the first effort toward achieving something. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and common usage across multiple domains. It is especially prevalent in scientific, news, and academic writing. When using this phrase, make sure to clearly specify what the attempt refers to in order to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "a preliminary effort toward" or "a first shot at" can be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a preliminary effort toward

Replaces "attempt" with "effort" and "initial" with "preliminary", emphasizing the early stage of the endeavor.

a first shot at

Uses the idiom "first shot" to convey the idea of a first try or opportunity.

a trial run at

Emphasizes the experimental or testing nature of the first attempt.

a maiden voyage into

Metaphorically describes the initial attempt as a "maiden voyage", suggesting exploration and novelty.

an early foray into

Replaces "attempt" with "foray", implying a tentative or exploratory venture.

the opening gambit in

Uses the term "gambit" to suggest a strategic first move or action.

a nascent effort for

Highlights the beginning and undeveloped nature of the effort.

a starting point for

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

a basic approach to

Implies a fundamental or uncomplicated way of beginning an endeavor.

a surface-level examination of

Suggests a cursory or shallow first look at a subject.

FAQs

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

Use "an initial attempt at" to describe the first effort made towards achieving a specific goal. For instance, ""An initial attempt at" negotiation failed, leading to further conflict".

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "an initial attempt at"?

You could use phrases like "a preliminary effort toward", "a first shot at", or "a trial run at" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to specify the outcome after describing "an initial attempt at" something?

While not strictly necessary, indicating the outcome (success or failure) after mentioning "an initial attempt at" provides a more complete and informative picture. This helps the reader understand the context and consequences of the attempt.

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

"An initial attempt at" refers to the very first try, while "a subsequent attempt at" implies that there were previous tries already. Therefore, they describe different positions in a sequence of actions.