excellent attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excellent attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to commend someone's effort or performance in trying to achieve something, often in a positive or encouraging context. Example: "Your presentation was impressive, and I want to acknowledge your excellent attempt at addressing the complex topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

That does not detract, however, from Hamilton's excellent attempt to make an "impossible" contract.

The New York Times

PFAM (3) database is an excellent attempt to facilitate the function annotation based on domain assignments.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

Overall, the article is an excellent attempt by Strak et al. (2012) to use noninvasive methods to understand the acute response of the respiratory system in response to air pollution exposure.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Many researchers have made excellent attempts to quantify the contribution that activity can make to total daily EE in rodents under conditions when other variables have been controlled for or eliminated.

Cell Metabolism

The model proposed is quite intuitive and compelling and represents an excellent first attempt in beginning to uncover the mechanism behind this intriguing phenomenon.

F1000Research

Although AnGST and MowgliNNI are excellent first attempts, they have several limitations.

Bioinformatics

In summary, although there have been excellent recent attempts to separate its components, the functional concept and neural circuitry underlying food reward is still poorly defined.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

They showed menace, even if they could not capitalise, and James, for instance, had to produce a particularly impressive save to reach an excellent left-footed attempt from Tom Huddlestone in the 39th minute.

The Guardian - Sport

It has good ballhandlers, often relying on a three-guard offense, and it whips the ball around using excellent player spacing, attempting to force opponents to run and defend.

The New York Times - Sports

From a given definition of the problem, and also from a management and procedural point of view, various approaches have been attempted; excellent recent reviews are now available by Cardoen et al. [ 7], Guerrerio and Guido [ 8] and Spyropoulos [ 9].

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Relations have generally been excellent until this crude attempt at election-rigging.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "excellent attempt" to positively acknowledge someone's effort, even if the final result wasn't perfect. It's particularly effective in providing encouragement and fostering a growth mindset.

Common error

While suitable for general communication, avoid overuse in highly formal or critical reports. Opt for more specific feedback detailing strengths and areas for improvement to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excellent attempt" functions as an adjective-noun phrase, where "excellent" modifies the noun "attempt". It serves to positively characterize the effort made towards achieving a goal, even if the goal was not fully realized. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in commending efforts in various fields.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excellent attempt" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to commend effort and provide positive reinforcement. As confirmed by Ludwig, it effectively acknowledges dedication, even if the desired outcome isn't fully achieved. While applicable across various registers, it's essential to consider the context and opt for more specific feedback in highly formal settings. Related phrases, like "commendable effort", offer nuanced alternatives. Remember to use it to encourage growth and celebrate effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commendable effort

Focuses on the effort made, highlighting its praiseworthiness.

noteworthy endeavor

Emphasizes the significance and remarkability of the undertaking.

remarkable try

Replaces "attempt" with "try", suggesting a good effort despite potential failure.

admirable undertaking

Highlights the positive qualities and worthiness of the project.

sterling effort

Uses "sterling" to denote high quality and value of the effort.

first-rate endeavor

Replaces "excellent" with "first-rate", indicating top quality.

laudable effort

Emphasizes the deserving praise for the effort.

praiseworthy attempt

Directly indicates that the attempt is worthy of praise.

credible try

Suggests that the attempt was believable and respectable.

meritorious endeavor

Highlights that the effort is deserving of recognition or reward.

FAQs

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

You can use "excellent attempt" to commend someone's effort, like: "Despite not winning, your presentation was an "excellent attempt" at explaining a complex topic."

What's a good alternative to "excellent attempt"?

Alternatives include "commendable effort", "remarkable try", or "praiseworthy attempt", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "excellent attempt"?

It's appropriate when you want to positively acknowledge someone's effort, especially when they've shown dedication and skill, regardless of the final outcome.

Is "excellent attempt" too informal for professional settings?

While generally acceptable, consider the context. In formal reports, more specific and detailed feedback might be preferred. However, in everyday communication or team settings, "excellent attempt" can be a motivating and appropriate phrase.