former attempts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "former attempts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to previous efforts or tries made in a particular context. Example: "Despite the former attempts to solve the issue, we still faced challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

In 1986, however, the Dutch Reformed Church denounced its own former attempts at the biblical justification of apartheid, and in 1989 it condemned apartheid as a sin.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The former attempts to find the optimal structures with the maximum stiffness and minimum resistance to heat dissipation and the latter to tailor composite materials with effective thermal conductivity and bulk modulus attaining their upper limits like Hashin Shtrikman and Lurie Cherkaev bounds.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

--At timesameachme, each week brings another unlikely success story that encourages young 'uns to continue to seek mainstream breakthroughs following this route (instead of the former attempts via writing screenplays or getting producers coffee on the set).

Huffington Post

While the former attempts to reinterpret the 14th Amendment's Citizenship Clause--which has, for 130 years, guaranteed the right to citizenship at birth--the latter threatens to violate its Equal Protection Clause--which, as upheld by the Supreme Court in Plyler v. Doe, grants all children the right to a public education.

Huffington Post

However, there are no current reports of successful isolation of larval stage cells, and former attempts appear to have been hindered by the tough and relatively impermeable cuticle that encapsulates the worm and prevents access to cells and tissues [20].

Plosone

This will make their comparison and characterisation much easier compared to all former attempts.

Chemistry - A European Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

In New York, former Rhodes Scholar Antonio Delgado has faced ads playing on repeat highlighting his former attempt at becoming a hip-hop artist.

Vice

In December tensions between the National Command (loyal to Aflaq and Bitar) and the Regional Command (loyal to Jadid and backed by the military) grew worse as elements of the former attempted to align with Military Committee member Muhammad Umran in an effort to split the military's support (and according to Syria expert Itamar Rabinovich, the Alawite officers' solid backing) of Jadid.

Wikipedia

After Thomas's former wife attempts suicide, their daughter, Eve (Fantine Harduin), aged thirteen, comes to live with her father, who is now married to Anaïs (Laura Verlinden).

The New Yorker

To examine smoking behaviour, former quit attempts and intention to quit among Swiss adolescents and young adults over five year's time.

Public Health

This camp, in contrast to the former camp, attempts to honor the idea that there is no fundamental difference between the activity of God in creation and the activity of God in conservation.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "former attempts", ensure the context clearly indicates what these attempts were and why they are being referenced. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "former attempts" when the time frame overlaps significantly with current efforts. If the attempts are recent or ongoing, consider using phrases like "previous" or "recent" instead to accurately reflect the timeline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "former attempts" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence or clause. It references previous efforts made towards a specific goal, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples of its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "former attempts" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to reference past efforts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and suggests alternatives like "previous efforts". While relatively uncommon, the phrase appears across diverse contexts, particularly in science and news media. Effective use of "former attempts" requires clear context to avoid ambiguity, and writers should be mindful of overlapping timeframes with current efforts. Using "former attempts" serves the purpose of providing context to current strategies, evaluating past failures or highlighting progress. Keep in mind that it has a generally neutral tone, tending toward formal language, appropriate for academic or professional environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous efforts

Emphasizes the work or exertion made in the past.

earlier endeavors

Highlights the ambitious or purposeful nature of the past actions.

past trials

Focuses on the experimental or testing aspect of the previous actions.

previous tries

Uses a more informal term for attempts.

prior undertakings

Highlights the commitment and responsibility associated with past actions.

past initiatives

Focuses on the proactive and strategic aspect of previous efforts.

initial stabs

Emphasizes the exploratory and sometimes clumsy nature of early attempts.

original attempts

Highlights that these efforts are the first of their kind.

preceding efforts

Emphasizes the chronological order and that these efforts came before.

historical attempts

Highlights that these efforts happened a long time ago.

FAQs

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

You can use "former attempts" to refer to previous efforts or trials, as in "Despite the "former attempts" to resolve the issue, challenges remain".

What are some alternatives to using "former attempts"?

Consider using alternatives such as "previous efforts", "earlier endeavors", or "past trials" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "former attempts" or "previous attempts"?

Both "former attempts" and "previous attempts" are correct. The choice often depends on personal preference and the specific context. "Former" may imply a more distant or completed timeframe, while "previous" can be more general.

What's the difference between "former attempts" and "initial attempts"?

"Former attempts" refers to attempts made at some point in the past. "Initial attempts" specifically refers to the very first attempts made at something. The terms are not interchangeable.