frail attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'frail attempt' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a feeble or feeble-hearted attempt at something. For example, "Despite his valiant effort, his frail attempt to finish the marathon was not enough."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

So the actions of the French government are undermining the already frail attempts at implementing policies that would target Roma discrimination in Romania.

The New York Times

Bashar al-Assad has vowed to retake the whole of Syria by force, even as diplomats continue increasingly frail attempts to secure a lasting ceasefire.

Independent

The question, however, is whether such programs will work for everyone or whether there are people who, for genetic reasons, simply do not respond, growing frail despite attempting to exercise.

The New York Times - Health

A person with a frail will attempts to perform morally right actions because these actions are morally right, but she is too weak to follow through with her plans.

SEP

Many interventions for frail older people attempt to prevent or delay functional decline, but they show contradicting results.

BMC Geriatrics

Early identification of frail patients in an attempt to modify the risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality has become an important area of study over the last decade.

Duke University

6 Although there is evidence of the effectiveness of treating hypertension in older people who are fit, in the frailer populations overenthusiastic attempts to lower blood pressure have been associated with increased mortality and morbidity.

BMJ Open

Disabling certain features is Twitter's recent attempt to keep their frail architecture from failing completely.

TechCrunch

Let the world see what the evidence there is". During his final hours in the United States on Tuesday and early Wednesday, the frail, white-haired Artukovic lost two attempts to avoid extradition.

Los Angeles Times

This 315 person group was selected from CHS based upon demographic and disease-related characteristics, focusing on the youngest frail and oldest robust individuals, in an attempt to maximize the genetic difference between the two groups.

Plosone

Finally, after an assassination attempt left him paralyzed, he turned into a frail old man in a wheelchair asking for the forgiveness and the votes of the very people he had tried to keep down.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "frail attempt", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being attempted and why it is considered weak or unlikely to succeed. This adds depth and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "frail attempt" when you mean a determined but ultimately unsuccessful effort. "Frail" implies inherent weakness, not just failure. If the effort was strong but circumstances prevented success, choose a different descriptor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "frail attempt" functions as an adjective-noun construction, where "frail" modifies the noun "attempt". Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically sound. It describes the quality of the attempt as being weak or delicate.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "frail attempt" is used to describe a weak or ineffective effort. Grammatically correct, it functions as an adjective-noun construction to critically assess an action's likelihood of success. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While applicable in various contexts, its usage is relatively rare, as indicated by the limited number of examples. Its neutrality allows for use across different registers, though more precise vocabulary may be favored in formal settings. Be aware of its negative connotation, implying weakness, and consider more precise alternatives when describing determined but ultimately unsuccessful efforts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeble effort

Replaces "attempt" with "effort", maintaining the sense of a weak or ineffective try.

flimsy attempt

Substitutes "frail" with "flimsy", emphasizing the lack of substance or strength in the attempt.

weak attempt

Uses "weak" in place of "frail", directly denoting a lack of power or effectiveness.

ineffectual attempt

Replaces "frail" with "ineffectual", focusing on the attempt's failure to produce the desired result.

half-hearted attempt

Emphasizes a lack of enthusiasm and commitment in the attempt.

lame attempt

Uses "lame" to suggest the attempt is unconvincing and inadequate.

poorly executed attempt

Focuses on the inadequate execution of the attempt, rather than its inherent strength.

failed attempt

Highlights the lack of success, implying the attempt was too weak to succeed.

unconvincing attempt

Indicates that the attempt lacks credibility or persuasiveness.

slight attempt

Uses "slight" to describe a minimal or insignificant effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "frail attempt" to describe an effort that is weak, unlikely to succeed, or poorly executed. For example, "His "frail attempt" to fix the car only made the problem worse."

What are some alternatives to "frail attempt"?

Alternatives include "feeble effort", "flimsy attempt", or "weak attempt". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "frail attempt" a negative expression?

Yes, "frail attempt" generally carries a negative connotation, implying that the effort was weak and probably unsuccessful. It suggests an inherent deficiency in the attempt itself.

Can "frail attempt" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "frail attempt" can be used in formal writing, but consider whether a more precise term would be more appropriate. In some contexts, "ineffectual attempt" or "poorly executed attempt" might be better choices.