earnest attempts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earnest attempts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe sincere and serious efforts made to achieve something. Example: "Despite facing numerous challenges, her earnest attempts to improve the community were commendable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

But such earnest attempts to lower the political temperature have so far failed.

The New York Times

A group of medical students made earnest attempts to reanimate a corpse.

The New York Times - Arts

Wynne is very funny about the earnest attempts of academics to recapture this.

The Guardian

Heated debates ensue about whether earnest attempts to support science journalists constitute "establishment PR".

The Guardian - Opinion

The flip-side is that earnest attempts at verisimilitude often result in unimaginably ludicrous peccadillos.

The Guardian - Books

With Prior, there were no earnest attempts to win hearts and minds over multiple cups of tea.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Why the earnest attempt to create Mama Bear Bryants?

The New York Times

The door is always open to you should you ever wish to make an earnest attempt to understand that".

Independent

Its bravery lies rather in its earnest attempt to do justice to the transcendent dimension of a profane act.

The New York Times - Books

If it represents an earnest attempt to protect the dying, it in fact makes them more vulnerable.

The New York Times

Mr. Marr said his agency had erred in "our earnest attempt to deliver these funds as quickly as possible".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "earnest attempts" to convey sincerity and dedication, especially when highlighting efforts that may not have succeeded but were made with genuine intent.

Common error

While "earnest attempts" is valid, avoid it in overly casual writing. Simpler phrases like "real tries" or "sincere efforts" might be more appropriate in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earnest attempts" functions as a noun phrase where "earnest" modifies "attempts." It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, describing the nature of the efforts undertaken. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "earnest attempts" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes sincere and serious efforts. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in news and media sources, encyclopedias and wiki, it conveys a sense of dedication and genuine intent. While versatile, it’s best suited for neutral to formal contexts. For more casual settings, consider alternatives like "sincere efforts" or "real tries". Its consistent usage and clear meaning, coupled with strong source authority, contribute to its high expert rating.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sincere efforts

Replaces "earnest" with "sincere", suggesting a genuine and honest effort, but potentially lacking the same degree of intensity.

dedicated endeavors

Substitutes both words, implying a focused and committed effort toward a specific goal.

genuine tries

Uses "genuine" instead of "earnest" and "tries" instead of "attempts", providing a more casual tone while maintaining the core meaning.

determined actions

Emphasizes resolve with "determined", focusing on the proactive aspect of the efforts.

serious strivings

Replaces "attempts" with "strivings", highlighting continuous and persistent effort against obstacles.

conscientious exertions

Offers a more formal alternative, suggesting careful and thorough effort.

bona fide undertakings

Uses Latin terminology for "good faith", adding a layer of formality and seriousness.

zealous pursuits

Highlights enthusiasm and passion, indicating highly motivated efforts.

diligent applications

Focuses on the consistent and attentive application of effort.

committed initiatives

Implies a strong dedication and initiation of projects or actions.

FAQs

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

You can use "earnest attempts" to describe sincere and serious efforts made to achieve something. For example, "Despite facing numerous challenges, her earnest attempts to improve the community were commendable."

What are some alternatives to "earnest attempts"?

You can use alternatives such as "sincere efforts", "dedicated endeavors", or "genuine tries" depending on the context.

Is "earnest attempts" formal or informal?

"Earnest attempts" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase. It's suitable for news articles, essays, and professional communications, but might be too formal for casual conversations.

What is the difference between "earnest attempts" and "sincere efforts"?

While both phrases are similar, "earnest attempts" often implies a greater degree of dedication and possibly a sense of struggle, whereas "sincere efforts" emphasizes the genuineness of the effort.