fair attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fair attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort that is reasonable or justifiable, often in the context of evaluating someone's work or effort. Example: "Despite the challenges, I believe this is a fair attempt at solving the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

There is a fair attempt to share the burden.

The Economist

"It looks like a fair attempt to respond to the different interests".

The Guardian

10 01: As far as Mr Clinton's speech, I would say that was a fair attempt at a tough task.

The Economist

"Surprisingly – I thought it was quite mature and ambitious for a DIY, and Tony's stream-of-consciousness voice over was a fair attempt.

The Guardian - Film

Yesterday's move will not solve all the dilemmas, but it should reassure sceptics that a fair attempt to assess standards is being made.

The Guardian - Opinion

I have also made a fair attempt to get their views also on the report, which they had a standard amount of time to respond to".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

One salesman at the Great British Brands Festival, a consumer fair, attempted to lure curious Chinese onlookers at a shopping mall in western Beijing by shouting about his products, in Chinese, no less.

BBC

Nonetheless, I like to think it was a fair gaijin attempt at hanami.

Huffington Post

Food.com came up with 368 results, Food Network showed 53 results, Epicurious showed 37 results and Foodista showed 2 results (although, to be fair, Foodista attempts to present the one best recipe).

TechCrunch

The space has seen a fair few attempts to drive down the price-tag of owning an additive manufacturing machine in recent years, including the likes of the MakiBox, Pirate 3D Buccaneer and The Micro.

TechCrunch

And post-comeback, we're yet to see the definitive Who game materialise, despite a fair few attempts.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fair attempt", ensure the context clarifies what makes the attempt 'fair' – is it unbiased, reasonable, or just?

Common error

Avoid assuming that a "fair attempt" implies success. It only indicates that the effort was made equitably or reasonably, not that it achieved the desired outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fair attempt" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "fair" modifies the noun "attempt". Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fair attempt" is a versatile expression used to describe an effort that is considered reasonable, unbiased, or just. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and commonly used across diverse contexts, particularly in news media and scientific writing. While the phrase doesn't guarantee success, it acknowledges the quality and sincerity of the effort. Remember to consider the specific context when choosing alternatives like "reasonable endeavor" or "genuine effort" to best convey your intended meaning. Using "fair attempt" effectively involves clarifying what makes the attempt 'fair' – whether it's the impartiality, the reasonableness, or simply the good faith behind the effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasonable endeavor

Replaces "attempt" with "endeavor", suggesting a more formal or sustained effort; "fair" is replaced with "reasonable".

genuine effort

Substitutes "fair" with "genuine", highlighting the sincerity and authenticity of the effort.

honest try

Replaces "attempt" with "try", indicating a simpler, less formal effort; "fair" is replaced with "honest".

creditable effort

Uses "creditable" instead of "fair", emphasizing the praiseworthy nature of the effort.

respectable undertaking

Replaces both words to convey a sense of worthy effort; "respectable" shows that the effort is worthy of esteem and recognition.

legitimate shot

Replaces "attempt" with "shot", suggesting a chance or opportunity; "fair" becomes "legitimate".

sincere endeavor

Similar to "genuine effort" but emphasizes the heartfelt nature of the undertaking.

earnest effort

Highlights the serious and determined nature of the effort.

bona fide attempt

Uses the Latin term "bona fide" to underscore the good faith and authenticity of the attempt.

valid try

Expresses that the attempt is founded and sound.

FAQs

What does "fair attempt" mean?

A "fair attempt" indicates an effort that is reasonable, unbiased, or just, regardless of the outcome. It suggests that the effort was made in good faith and according to acceptable standards.

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

You might say, "Despite the challenges, the proposal represents a "fair attempt" to address the issue." This indicates that the proposal is a reasonable effort even if it's not perfect.

What are some alternatives to "fair attempt"?

Alternatives include "reasonable endeavor", "genuine effort", or "honest try", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "fair attempt" formal or informal language?

"Fair attempt" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal writing, consider alternatives like "reasonable endeavor" or "creditable effort".