commendable attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commendable attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to show appreciation or admiration for someone or something that has made an effort, but may not have achieved the desired outcome. For example, "He did not pass his test, but the teacher recognized his hard work with a commendable attempt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"I'm gonna treat you all like Denzel would treat you," Hanks began, before launching into a commendable attempt.

Independent

The production is a commendable attempt to shine a light into an obscure byway of the classical canon, but memorably moving or memorably funny it is not.

The New York Times

Forster's point about novelists sitting in a circle was a commendable attempt to avoid any Whiggish sense that they are somehow improving on their predecessors.

The Guardian - Books

The NCAA's response to the scandal was a commendable attempt at behavior modification.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But despite Ek's commendable attempts to make things right, there's certain to be a huge backlash from European users, and also from a European startup community that has celebrated Spotify as one of the few home-grown Euro success stories.

TechCrunch

The Big History project is an admirable attempt by Professor David Christian to make history interesting to students (and a commendable effort by Bill Gates to make it more accessible).

Huffington Post

With encyclopedic rigor and commendable patience she attempted to introduce me to the discipline: its converging histories and sub-fandoms, its vicissitudes and interior controversies.

Vice

The difficulty with the otherwise commendable initiative is the attempt to cover an entire range of products in the Directive.

EU Parlament

It is commendable that the Tories are attempting to look at alternatives to the unwavering support to the aviation industry given by Labour.

The Guardian - Opinion

The effort is commendable even so.

Huffington Post

The attempt to rebrand the area is commendable, but raising $5 million to achieve that seems excessive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "commendable attempt" when you want to acknowledge effort even if the outcome wasn't fully successful, but avoid overusing it if the effort was clearly insufficient.

Common error

Avoid using "commendable attempt" sarcastically or when the effort was minimal. Sarcasm can be misconstrued, and using it for trivial efforts undermines genuine appreciation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commendable attempt" primarily functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "commendable" modifies the noun "attempt". It's used to express approval or recognition of an effort made, even if it didn't fully succeed. Ludwig provides examples where it is used in news articles and other sources.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "commendable attempt" is a grammatically correct and usable expression used to acknowledge effort, as confirmed by Ludwig. While its usage is relatively rare, it is found primarily in News & Media and Science contexts. Ludwig AI notes that it serves to validate and encourage action, even when outcomes are not fully successful. Alternative phrases like "praiseworthy endeavor" or "admirable effort" can be used to convey similar meanings, but context is important in ensuring appropriate usage. It's best practice to avoid using "commendable attempt" sarcastically, as that can easily be misinterpreted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

praiseworthy endeavor

Emphasizes the worthiness of the effort deserving praise.

admirable effort

Highlights the quality of the effort as inspiring admiration.

creditable effort

Focuses on the respect and recognition the effort deserves.

laudable effort

Suggests the effort is deserving of high praise and commendation.

meritorious endeavor

Highlights the deserving nature of the effort, emphasizing its merit.

worthy shot

Implies that even if unsuccessful, the effort had value.

notable endeavor

Highlights the effort as something worth noticing or remembering.

significant effort

Emphasizes the importance and scale of the undertaking.

valuable try

Focuses on the worth of giving it a shot.

good faith effort

Suggests that the attempt was done with honesty and sincerity.

FAQs

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

You can use "commendable attempt" to acknowledge someone's effort, even if they didn't succeed. For example, "Although he didn't win the race, his effort was a "commendable attempt"."

What are some alternatives to "commendable attempt"?

Alternatives include "praiseworthy endeavor", "admirable effort", or "creditable effort", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "commendable attempt" formal or informal?

"Commendable attempt" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the overall tone and purpose of the communication rather than the setting.

What's the difference between "commendable attempt" and "commendable effort"?

While both phrases are similar, ""commendable attempt"" implies a specific instance of trying, whereas "commendable effort" refers to sustained exertion. Effort suggests ongoing work, while attempt is a single instance.