an initial attempt to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an initial attempt to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the first effort made to achieve a particular goal or task. Example: "This report presents an initial attempt to analyze the data collected from the survey."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This paper is an initial attempt to learn evolution PDEs from data.

Stanford University

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

The New York Times

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

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

In this paper we demonstrate an initial attempt to model and verify Sandia National Laboratories Scoree processor using Event-B.

Electronic Notes in Theoretical Computer Science

Some in Beaumont managed to fly out of town after an initial attempt to leave by bus was stymied by high water.

The Washington Post

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

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Detailed below is an initial attempt to create a framework upon which to organize scientific data and its metadata.

Journal of Cheminformatics

These lines likely represent an initial attempt to divide the bar into 7 similar-sized pieces all at once.

International Journal of STEM Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an initial attempt to", ensure that the context clearly indicates that this is the first of potentially multiple efforts. This clarifies expectations and provides context for subsequent actions.

Common error

Avoid presenting "an initial attempt to" as a definitive solution. Frame it as a starting point or exploratory effort, acknowledging its limitations and the need for further development.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an initial attempt to" functions as an introductory phrase, setting the stage for describing an action or study. It typically precedes a verb, indicating the purpose or goal of the attempt. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

69%

News & Media

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an initial attempt to" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a preliminary effort or starting point. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted in formal and informal contexts. It is particularly prevalent in scientific, academic, and news-related writing, indicating its versatility across different domains. When using this phrase, it's important to frame the context to make sure readers understand that the work is in its early stages and possibly subject to further development. Alternatives like "a preliminary effort to" or "a first endeavor to" offer similar meanings. Be aware of potentially overstating the significance of something being "an initial attempt to" and ensure it is accurately represented as such.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a preliminary effort to

Emphasizes the exploratory and tentative nature of the effort.

a first endeavor to

Highlights the ambitious and challenging aspect of the initial action.

a starting point for

Focuses on the idea that this is the beginning of a process.

a nascent effort to

Underscores the early stages of development and potential for growth.

an early-stage attempt to

Directly indicates that the attempt is in its initial phase.

a pilot study to

Specifically refers to a preliminary study conducted before a larger-scale project.

an experimental approach to

Emphasizes the exploratory and potentially unproven nature of the method.

a trial run for

Suggests a test or practice before a formal implementation.

a proof-of-concept for

Focuses on demonstrating the feasibility of an idea or method.

a first pass at

Implies that this is the first of multiple attempts or revisions.

FAQs

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

You can use "an initial attempt to" to describe the beginning stage of an action or project. For example, "This study represents "an initial attempt to" refine a scoring methodology of emergency department patients."

What are some alternatives to "an initial attempt to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a preliminary effort to", "a first endeavor to", or "a starting point for". These alternatives all convey the idea of a beginning stage or exploratory action.

Is it redundant to say "first initial attempt"?

Yes, saying "first initial attempt" is redundant because "initial" already implies that it's the first attempt. Simply use ""an initial attempt to"" or "the first attempt".

How does "an initial attempt to" differ from "a final attempt to"?

"An initial attempt to" signifies the beginning of a process, while "a final attempt to" indicates the last effort to achieve something, often implying that failure is imminent if unsuccessful.