fragile attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fragile attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort that is delicate, weak, or likely to fail. Example: "Despite the fragile attempt to negotiate peace, tensions between the two countries remained high."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Where once I had enjoyed shopping and running errands, these activities now jeopardized my fragile attempt to hold myself together.

The New York Times

It is as though the worst extremes of the terror have risen again from the earth and shown the Second Empire as nothing but a fragile attempt to paper over the cracks in a society smashed to pieces.

The Guardian - Books

"The country of Iran, as an example, is responsible for a bloody proxy war against Saudi Arabia in Yemen, trying to destabilize Iraq's fragile attempt at democracy, supporting the terror group Hezbollah in Lebanon, propping up dictator Bashar Assad in Syria (who has killed millions of his own citizens), and much more.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Cities record our fragile attempts to make ideas of society in physical form.They are physical records of our visions and our mistakes.

The Guardian - Opinion

HONG KONG — It's a sad and nasty problem that's playing out in western Myanmar, a dispute that has turned violent in recent days and perhaps even threatens to derail the country's fragile attempts at democratic reform.

The New York Times

And on Friday, Poles took the latest step in the fragile attempts to revive the spirit of what was once the largest Jewish community in the world, with the opening of the Museum of the History of Polish Jews.

The Guardian

The agreement is clearly fragile, previous attempts at a truce have utterly failed, and expectations are high of an upsurge in fighting ahead of the Saturday deadline.

The Guardian

Maybe the real message is that we should appreciate the snow while we've got it; value the way our fragile planet attempts to set itself right.

Huffington Post

But as the emotionally and physically fragile Laura, Erin Doherty's attempt to console herself about a damaged glass unicorn feels like a portent of her future: "I'll just imagine he had an operation … to make him feel less freakish".

The Guardian

Sister Aimee's own image — flamboyant, brave, brassy, neurotically fragile — defied contemporary attempts to pin it down.

The New Yorker

We wash up on the shores of adulthood, with our minivans and mortgages and fixed selves, and woe to the fragile soul who attempts to alter her public identity much beyond the age of 30.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation as a "fragile attempt", ensure the context clearly indicates the factors contributing to its vulnerability. Provide specific details rather than relying solely on the adjective "fragile".

Common error

Avoid using "fragile attempt" when the effort shows signs of resilience or significant progress. Overusing the term can undermine the actual effort being made, suggesting inevitable failure where potential for success exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fragile attempt" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "fragile" modifies the noun "attempt". It describes the nature of the attempt as being easily broken or disrupted, as supported by Ludwig and the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fragile attempt" is a grammatically correct adjective-noun combination used to describe an endeavor that is delicate, easily disrupted, and at risk of failure. According to Ludwig, this phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts. While semantically similar phrases exist, such as "tenuous effort" or "delicate undertaking", "fragile attempt" itself is relatively rare. It is important to consider the context carefully when using this phrase to accurately reflect the vulnerability of the situation without exaggerating potential for collapse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vulnerable attempt

Replaces "fragile" with "vulnerable", suggesting susceptibility to harm or failure.

tenuous effort

Substitutes "fragile" with "tenuous", emphasizing the lack of a solid foundation.

delicate undertaking

Uses "delicate" instead of "fragile", stressing the need for careful handling.

flimsy effort

Uses "flimsy" to describe the attempt as insubstantial and easily broken.

precarious endeavor

Replaces both words, highlighting the risky and uncertain nature of the undertaking.

feeble try

Emphasizes the weakness and ineffectiveness of the effort.

uncertain endeavor

Emphasizes the lack of clarity and predictability in the undertaking.

shaky initiative

Highlights the instability and uncertainty surrounding the beginning of the action.

risky venture

Focuses on the potential dangers and uncertainties involved.

dubious initiative

Suggests that the attempt is questionable or unlikely to succeed.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "fragile attempt" in a sentence?

You can use "fragile attempt" to describe something that is delicate and easily disrupted. For example, "The negotiation was a "fragile attempt" at peace, easily threatened by any provocation".

What's a good substitute for "fragile attempt"?

Alternatives include "tenuous effort", "delicate undertaking", or "vulnerable attempt", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "fragile attempt" or "weak attempt"?

While both convey a lack of strength, "fragile attempt" suggests something easily broken or disrupted, whereas "weak attempt" implies a lack of inherent power or competence.

When should I use "fragile attempt" over "tentative step"?

"Fragile attempt" emphasizes the instability and risk of failure in an endeavor, whereas "tentative step" focuses on the cautious and exploratory nature of an action, regardless of its stability.