feeble try

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feeble try" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an attempt that is weak or lacking in strength or effectiveness. Example: "His feeble try to lift the heavy box only resulted in him straining his back."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

After a few feeble tries on our part at "Summer Nights," he said, "I guarantee you, by the end of this movie, you'll all be singing!" and disappeared into his office.

The New York Times

It was my feeble attempt to try and shake him out of a death wish he seemed to have.

The Guardian

Dos Anjos is not rising to the bait though, and he claimed McGregor's most recent outburst was a feeble attempt to try and drum up support in Brazil ahead of the Las Vegas showdown.

Independent

EDIT: When I first posted this, I had called our readers sheep in a feeble attempt to try and spark some debate.

TechCrunch

"The city is financially strapped and this is a feeble attempt to try to keep him here.

Los Angeles Times

Still, he tries one feeble attempt to explain.

Huffington Post

Bale clips that to the edge of the box, from where Jenas tries to sweep in into the net, but it's a feeble effort.

The Guardian - Sport

It might be a feeble attempt by a group of people who might have met at a meetup and decided to try something for a few months.

Forbes

The reply zinged past my feeble backhand attempt at trying to be knowledgeable.

Huffington Post

Later, in a feebler voice, trying to avoid the echo, I heard myself add, "I'm a journalist".

The New Yorker

Good word; needs rest; try feeble.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feeble try" when you want to emphasize the weakness or ineffectiveness of an attempt. It suggests that the effort was not strong enough to succeed.

Common error

Avoid using "feeble try" when the attempt actually showed some promise or effort. The phrase implies a significant lack of strength, so choose a more neutral term if the attempt was simply unsuccessful but not necessarily weak.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeble try" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "feeble" modifies the noun "try". This construction describes the quality of the attempt, indicating a lack of strength or effectiveness. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feeble try" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, as validated by Ludwig AI, used to describe an attempt lacking strength or effectiveness. Although no exact examples were found in the provided search data, its structure as an adjective-noun phrase is straightforward. While not particularly frequent, it can be effectively employed in various contexts to convey criticism, resignation, or mild amusement about an unsuccessful attempt. Alternatives like "weak attempt" or "poor effort" can be used for similar effect. Use "feeble try" when you want to emphasize the weakness or ineffectiveness of an attempt, ensuring that the attempt truly lacked strength rather than just being unsuccessful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weak attempt

Replaces "feeble" with "weak", maintaining the meaning of a lacking strength attempt.

unsuccessful attempt

Focuses on the outcome of the attempt, which was failure.

poor effort

Uses "poor" to describe the quality of the attempt.

ineffectual effort

Substitutes both words to highlight the lack of positive result of the attempt.

inadequate attempt

Stresses that the attempt was not good enough or sufficient.

half-hearted attempt

Emphasizes the lack of enthusiasm or commitment behind the attempt.

vain effort

Highlights that the attempt is unlikely to produce the desired result.

futile endeavor

Indicates that the attempt is pointless or sure to fail.

flimsy attempt

Describes the attempt as insubstantial and easily defeated.

lame attempt

A more informal way of saying the attempt was weak and unconvincing.

FAQs

What does "feeble try" mean?

A "feeble try" refers to an attempt that is weak, ineffective, or lacking in strength and is unlikely to succeed.

What can I say instead of "feeble try"?

You can use alternatives like "weak attempt", "poor effort", or "futile endeavor" depending on the context.

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

You can use "feeble try" to describe an action that someone attempted but failed at due to lack of effort or strength. For example, "His feeble try to lift the heavy box only resulted in him straining his back".

Is "feeble try" formal or informal?

"Feeble try" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or professional writing.