brutal attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brutal attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a harsh or severe effort made to achieve something, often implying that the attempt was difficult or met with significant challenges. Example: "Despite the brutal attempt to climb the mountain, the team was forced to turn back due to the extreme weather conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Last Friday, the Army had made a brutal attempt to clear the square, firing weapons and beating protesters.

The New Yorker

But its rich heritage is being crushed by Beijing's brutal attempt to impose Chinese culture on an unruly imperial outpost.

Independent

He added: "I was deeply concerned that the concerted and brutal attempt to destroy her character led directly to her decision to withdraw from the contest".

The Guardian

The aerial campaign appears to be a brutal attempt at "draining the swamp," in the parlance of counterinsurgency, by displacing the sympathetic communities that have provided the rebels succor and shelter.

The New York Times

The former Northern Colorado backup punter Mitch Cozad was sentenced to seven years in prison for stabbing a teammate in what prosecutors said was a brutal attempt to take over the starter's role.

The New York Times

In Libya, where the political revolt against the four-decade rule of Muammar al-Qaddafi transformed effectively into a civil war (see Libya Revolt of 2011), however, Obama felt U.S. intervention was necessary to prevent a humanitarian disaster as Qaddafi employed his overwhelming military advantage in a brutal attempt to expunge opposition.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Such contempt for indigenous women was reinforced by brutal attempts to force First Nations to assimilate into mainstream Canadian society.

The Guardian

The latest plans for London's Smithfield General Market, unveiled this week by Henderson Global Investors, follow a long and chequered history of brutal attempts to flatten the historic complex.

The Guardian - Arts

He exploited the Soviet Union's brutal attempts to suppress its Afghan insurgents in all sorts of ways, both open and covert.

The Guardian

In Kiev, there were increasingly brutal attempts to drive out the protesters, including, eventually, live ammunition, provoking a violent response from the protesters, who armed themselves with bats and sticks and Molotov cocktails.

The New Yorker

The report also traced the origins of the deadly ethnic rioting in Lhasa, the Tibetan capital, to brutal attempts by security forces to suppress a peaceful protest by monks on March 10, four days before the riots broke out.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing actions with severe consequences or impacts, use "brutal attempt" to underscore the harshness and intensity of the effort.

Common error

Avoid using "brutal attempt" when describing minor inconveniences or trivial tasks. This phrase is best reserved for situations involving significant force, harm, or intensity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brutal attempt" functions as a noun phrase where "brutal" modifies the noun "attempt". According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English, primarily serving to describe a harsh or severe effort.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brutal attempt" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly within news and media contexts. According to Ludwig, this phrase is deemed correct and serves to describe actions marked by extreme harshness or severity. When writing, it's crucial to reserve "brutal attempt" for scenarios involving significant force or potential harm, avoiding its application to trivial matters. Alternatives like "savage attempt" or "ruthless endeavor" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Overall, "brutal attempt" is most effective when emphasizing the intense and merciless nature of a particular endeavor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Savage attempt

Replaces "brutal" with "savage", emphasizing the ferocity of the effort.

Ruthless endeavor

Substitutes "attempt" with "endeavor" and "brutal" with "ruthless", highlighting the merciless nature of the undertaking.

Vicious effort

Uses "vicious" instead of "brutal", conveying a sense of cruelty and aggression in the effort.

Fierce undertaking

Replaces "attempt" with "undertaking" and "brutal" with "fierce", stressing the intensity and determination involved.

Relentless push

Replaces "brutal attempt" with "relentless push", focusing on the unwavering persistence of the effort.

Aggressive move

Uses "aggressive" in place of "brutal" and "move" instead of attempt highlighting the proactive and forceful nature of the action.

Forceful action

Replaces the whole phrase with a more generic description, but maintaining the core meaning of a forceful action.

Harsh measure

Substitutes the terms for a phrase that describes a severe and strict action.

Drastic step

Uses different wording to suggest a significant and potentially risky action.

Desperate measure

Emphasizes the desperation behind the attempt, implying a last-ditch effort.

FAQs

How can I use "brutal attempt" in a sentence?

You can use "brutal attempt" to describe a harsh or severe effort made to achieve something. For example: "The army made a "brutal attempt" to clear the square."

What are some alternatives to "brutal attempt"?

Alternatives include "savage attempt", "ruthless endeavor", or "vicious effort", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "brutal attempt"?

"Brutal attempt" is appropriate when describing an effort characterized by extreme force, harshness, or violence. It's suitable for situations where the action is particularly severe or merciless.

What's the difference between "brutal attempt" and "violent attempt"?

While both phrases describe forceful actions, "brutal attempt" emphasizes the merciless and harsh nature of the effort, whereas "violent attempt" focuses primarily on the use of physical force.