desperate attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

'desperate attempt' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe an attempt that is done out of desperation, when one has not many other options left. For example: "He made a desperate attempt to save his failing business, but ultimately it was unsuccessful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A desperate attempt to save his marriage?

The New York Times - Books

One desperate attempt after another.

The Guardian

It's a desperate attempt to escape alienation.

The New York Times

"This is a highly desperate attempt".

The New York Times

A desperate attempt in severe time trouble.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a desperate attempt by Labour to deflect attention".

Independent

This was a desperate attempt at, um, humorization.

The New York Times

Durarbayli's 48... Ng4 was a last desperate attempt to attack.

The New York Times

This is a desperate attempt at social and narrative ordinariness.

The Guardian - Books

Presumably in a desperate attempt to boost their grades.

The Guardian

It was a desperate attempt to find happiness.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "desperate attempt", ensure the context clearly establishes the high stakes and lack of viable alternatives. This reinforces the sense of urgency and risk associated with the attempt.

Common error

Avoid using "desperate attempt" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make the writing sound melodramatic. Consider using synonyms or rephrasing to add variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desperate attempt" functions as a noun phrase, where "desperate" modifies "attempt". It describes an action taken as a last resort, often in a critical situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

18%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "desperate attempt" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a last-ditch effort undertaken in a critical situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and our analysis reveals its common usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like "last-ditch effort" or "last resort" exist, "desperate attempt" effectively conveys the sense of urgency and risk. When employing this phrase, ensure the context supports its intensity and avoid overuse to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

last-ditch effort

Emphasizes that this is the final effort left to try, implying a situation where all other options have been exhausted.

desperate measure

Highlights the extreme nature of the action taken due to the severity of the situation.

last resort

Highlights that the action is being taken because all other solutions have failed.

drastic measure

Focuses on the severity and potentially far-reaching consequences of the attempt.

hail Mary

Refers to a high-risk, low-probability maneuver attempted when facing imminent defeat, often used in sports contexts.

risky gamble

Focuses on the uncertainty and potential negative consequences of the action.

make a final push

Implies a surge of effort when nearing the end of an endeavor.

audacious move

Emphasizes the boldness and perhaps recklessness of the action.

aggressive strategy

Suggests a proactive and forceful approach to solving a problem, though not necessarily borne out of desperation.

urgent endeavor

Implies that the effort is being undertaken with a sense of haste and importance.

FAQs

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

You can use "desperate attempt" to describe a situation where someone tries something as a last resort because they have few other options. For example, "In a "desperate attempt" to save his business, he took out a large loan".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "desperate attempt"?

Alternatives to "desperate attempt" include "last-ditch effort", "last resort", or "hail Mary" depending on the context.

Is it always negative to describe something as a "desperate attempt"?

While "desperate attempt" often carries a negative connotation due to the underlying situation, it doesn't necessarily imply failure. It simply highlights the high stakes and limited options.

What's the difference between "desperate attempt" and "urgent endeavor"?

"Desperate attempt" suggests a last-ditch effort born of a difficult situation, whereas "urgent endeavor" implies a task undertaken with haste and importance, without necessarily implying a lack of alternatives.