feeble effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"feeble effort" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a weak or inadequate attempt or action. Example: Despite his best efforts, John's presentation was a feeble effort to impress the board of directors.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Masking tape on the sidewalk marks a feeble effort to prevent diners from blocking homes' entrances.

The New York Times

The movie makes a feeble effort to show that women were welcome in the movement.

The New York Times

It was a feeble effort - almost as if he was afraid of hurting himself.

The Guardian - Sport

It's slightly left of centre... 90+3 min: Thierry Henry shoots a feeble effort straight into the wall.

The Guardian - Sport

(His popularity extends elsewhere, too: In 2006, the Libertarian party made a feeble effort to seize Souter's New Hampshire home).

The Guardian - Opinion

President Bill Clinton made only a feeble effort to get the taxes reinstated, and President Bush hasn't even done that.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

America likes that, seeing a sharp contrast with the feeble efforts of some other NATO allies.

The Economist

Their zeal certainly undercuts Mr Abhisit's feeble efforts to unite a polarised nation.

The Economist

Hitherto, there has been an air of unreality about the feeble efforts to end the war that has destroyed Syria.

Independent

After a few feeble efforts to "get this case going," even the lead prosecutor and the judge seemed to give up.

The New York Times

Polio experts condemn his government's feeble efforts against the disease given that Pakistan is home to four-fifths of all polio cases.A second difficulty is India.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feeble effort" to describe situations where the lack of effort is notable and contributes to a failure or inadequacy. It's stronger than simply saying "effort".

Common error

Avoid using "feeble effort" in situations where a genuine, albeit unsuccessful, attempt was made with significant dedication. The phrase implies a lack of real commitment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeble effort" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'feeble' modifies the noun 'effort'. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing the quality of an attempt.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feeble effort" is a commonly used expression to describe an attempt that is weak, inadequate, or lacking in commitment. Grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase typically found in news, sports, and political contexts. While the phrase isn't restricted to formal settings, it is most impactful when highlighting a notable deficiency in effort rather than simply describing an unsuccessful attempt. Semantically similar phrases include "weak attempt", "half-hearted attempt", and "inadequate effort", each carrying slightly different connotations. When crafting written content, it's essential to use "feeble effort" judiciously to accurately convey the intended meaning of a subpar or deficient attempt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weak attempt

Replaces "feeble" with "weak", maintaining a similar sense of inadequacy but with slightly less emphasis on the lack of strength.

inadequate effort

Focuses on the insufficiency of the effort, highlighting that it was not enough to achieve the desired result.

poor attempt

A straightforward substitution, indicating a substandard or unsuccessful try.

ineffectual effort

Highlights that the effort failed to produce the desired effect or outcome.

half-hearted attempt

Suggests a lack of enthusiasm or commitment in the attempt, implying that the effort was not fully invested.

lame attempt

Conveys a sense of inadequacy and unconvincingness, often with a slightly humorous or dismissive tone.

flimsy attempt

Emphasizes the fragility and lack of substance in the attempt, suggesting it was easily overcome or dismissed.

paltry attempt

Indicates that the attempt was insignificant and of little value or consequence.

token effort

Suggests that the effort was made merely for appearances or to satisfy a requirement, rather than with genuine intent.

nominal attempt

Similar to "token effort", implying that the attempt was minimal and not expected to succeed.

FAQs

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

You can use "feeble effort" to describe a weak or inadequate attempt. For example, "His "feeble effort" to clean the house resulted in a superficial tidy at best."

What can I say instead of "feeble effort"?

Alternatives to "feeble effort" include "weak attempt", "half-hearted attempt", or "inadequate effort", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "feeble effort" the same as "failed attempt"?

No, "feeble effort" describes the quality of the attempt itself as weak or inadequate, while "failed attempt" simply indicates that the attempt did not succeed, regardless of the effort put in.

When is it appropriate to use "feeble effort" versus "genuine attempt"?

"Feeble effort" is used when the attempt lacks strength or commitment. "Genuine attempt", on the other hand, is appropriate when the effort was sincere, even if unsuccessful.