disastrous effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disastrous effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an attempt or endeavor that resulted in significant failure or negative consequences. Example: "Despite their best intentions, the team's disastrous effort to launch the new product led to a major financial loss for the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

At that point, though, they contrived to undo their good work with a disastrous effort.

The Guardian - Sport

RocketSpace itself is something of a recovery from Mr. Logan's disastrous effort to have a start-up of his own.

The New York Times

Skeptics point to the politically disastrous effort by the government late last year to open India's $500 billion retail market to foreign companies.

The New York Times

But Mr. Clinton, in an interview, acknowledged that his early missteps, notably his disastrous effort to push through a national health plan, played a role.

The New York Times

Later, Argentina's generals were gravely disappointed when the Reagan administration opposed their disastrous effort to seize the Falklands, then backed the country's return to democracy.

The New York Times

The sale is the latest evidence that Bank of America is retrenching after a disastrous effort to build a global investment bank from scratch.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Nasty comparisons are being made between Mr Bush's Social Security plan and Bill Clinton's disastrous efforts to overhaul America's health-care system in 1993.

The Economist

Critics have long viewed the one-child policy as an outdated and archaic tool of social control and a legacy of Mao's disastrous efforts to impose a new order on society.

The Economist

Another factor playing in Orman's favor is that the Republican party in Kansas is deeply divided over G.O.P. Governor Sam Brownback's disastrous efforts to turn the state into a model of tax-cutting, welfare-slashing conservatism.

The New Yorker

The economist Robert H. Frank, who teaches at Cornell and writes a column for the Times, has argued persuasively that increases in income inequality in the United States in recent decades have harmed almost everyone, by setting off, even at lower income levels, what he calls "positional arms races" — ultimately disastrous efforts to keep up with the Joneses.

The New Yorker

Resembling a kind of Asian-American Roseanne, the comedian Margaret Cho puffs up her cheeks and lets fly with a stream of frequently hilarious observations and invective on the gay condition in face of heterosexual absurdities, patronizing preconceptions of Asian-Americans and network television's disastrous efforts at changing her appearance and personality.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "disastrous effort" to describe situations where not only did an attempt fail, but it also caused significant negative consequences or damage. This helps to convey the full extent of the failure.

Common error

Avoid using "disastrous effort" to describe minor setbacks or simple failures. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the consequences were severe and far-reaching. Opt for milder terms like "unsuccessful attempt" or "failed endeavor" for less significant situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disastrous effort" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "disastrous" modifies the noun "effort". It typically serves to describe a specific instance or undertaking that has resulted in an extremely negative or unsuccessful outcome, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "disastrous effort" is used to describe an attempt that resulted in significant failure and negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and frequently used in contexts such as news, encyclopedias, and science. While it's acceptable for formal use, it's important to reserve it for situations that truly warrant such a strong term. Alternatives like "catastrophic attempt" or "failed endeavor" may be more appropriate depending on the context. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, "disastrous effort" is employed when the severity of the failure needs to be emphasized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

catastrophic attempt

Replaces 'disastrous' with 'catastrophic', suggesting a more severe level of failure.

unsuccessful attempt

A straightforward substitution focusing on the lack of success.

failed endeavor

Uses a more formal term 'endeavor' instead of 'effort', implying a deliberate and planned attempt that did not succeed.

fruitless exercise

Highlights the lack of any positive outcome or benefit from the effort.

ill-fated undertaking

Emphasizes the negative destiny or bad luck associated with the effort.

bungled attempt

Implies the effort failed due to incompetence or poor execution.

abortive measure

Suggests the effort was cut short or failed to fully develop.

ruinous endeavor

Suggests the effort caused significant damage or destruction.

counterproductive activity

Indicates the effort achieved the opposite of its intended goal.

regrettable action

Focuses on the negative feelings associated with the effort after its failure.

FAQs

How can I use "disastrous effort" in a sentence?

Use "disastrous effort" to describe an attempt or endeavor that resulted in significant failure and negative consequences. For example: "The company's "disastrous effort" to enter the new market led to substantial financial losses."

What are some alternatives to "disastrous effort"?

You can use alternatives like "catastrophic attempt", "failed endeavor", or "ill-fated undertaking" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "disastrous effort" over "unsuccessful attempt"?

"Disastrous effort" is more appropriate when the attempt not only failed but also resulted in significant damage or negative outcomes. "Unsuccessful attempt" is a more general term for any failed try.

Can "disastrous effort" be used in a formal context?

Yes, "disastrous effort" can be used in formal contexts, especially when describing significant failures in business, politics, or other serious endeavors. However, consider the specific tone and audience to ensure it is appropriate. A phrase like "failed endeavor" might be a more neutral choice.