commendable attempts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commendable attempts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to acknowledge and praise someone's efforts or endeavors, particularly when those efforts are worthy of recognition. Example: "Despite the challenges faced, her commendable attempts to improve the team's performance did not go unnoticed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 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

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

Their attempts to avoid military conflict are commendable, but not when one country is holding an entire region hostage to its hateful policy, and is only a few steps away from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "commendable attempts" when you want to acknowledge the positive intention and effort behind an action, even if the outcome wasn't entirely successful. It's useful in providing constructive feedback or expressing appreciation.

Common error

Avoid using "commendable attempts" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "good try" or "nice effort" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commendable attempts" functions primarily as an adjective-noun phrase, where "commendable" modifies "attempts." As Ludwig confirms, it acknowledges and praises efforts. This phrase is used to highlight the positive qualities of the effort made.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "commendable attempts" is a phrase used to positively acknowledge and praise efforts, particularly when the outcome is not fully successful. Ludwig confirms it is grammatically correct and most frequently used in News & Media contexts with a neutral to professional register. While it effectively conveys appreciation and recognition, be mindful of its formality and consider simpler alternatives in casual settings. Remember to focus on the positive intention and effort behind the attempts when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

praiseworthy endeavors

Emphasizes the worthiness of the efforts for praise.

admirable efforts

Highlights the deserving nature of the efforts for admiration.

laudable endeavors

Focuses on the deserving nature of the attempts for praise and commendation.

noteworthy efforts

Highlights the significance and worthiness of the attempts.

creditable attempts

Stresses the deserving nature of the attempts for recognition or credit.

meritorious efforts

Emphasizes the deserving nature of the efforts for reward or recognition.

estimable attempts

Highlights the attempts as worthy of respect and admiration.

respectable endeavors

Focuses on the attempts being worthy of respect.

valuable attempts

Emphasizes the worth of the attempts.

worthwhile efforts

Highlights the value and usefulness of the attempts.

FAQs

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

You can use "commendable attempts" to praise efforts, even if they didn't fully succeed. For example: "Despite the challenges, their "commendable attempts" to resolve the issue were appreciated".

What are some alternatives to "commendable attempts"?

Alternatives include "praiseworthy endeavors", "admirable efforts", or "laudable endeavors", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "commendable attempts"?

The phrase is best used in situations where you want to acknowledge and appreciate the positive intention and effort behind actions, particularly in professional or formal settings. It provides a nuanced way to commend efforts even if the result wasn't perfect.

Is "commendable attempts" formal or informal?

"Commendable attempts" leans toward the formal side. In more casual situations, simpler phrases like "good try" or "nice effort" might be more appropriate.