generous attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "generous attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort that is commendable or substantial, often in the context of trying to achieve something despite challenges. Example: "Her generous attempt to organize the charity event was appreciated by everyone involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

They're a generous attempt to orchestrate a varied medley of tastes both more and less familiar.

The New York Times - Food

"Percival's Planet" is a deeply generous attempt to explore the forces that make us restless, that make us want to wander the desert or peer into the sky or pace along our own fence lines, dreaming of finding something that might not be out there.

The New York Times

Would Clinton be more admirable if she had spat on Bush – or better still, refused to attend the funeral of a Republican first lady at all? She's already been criticised for praising Nancy Reagan's stance on Aids, as if her comments were anything but a generous attempt to speak well of a much-admired American.

The Guardian - Opinion

Michael Richter and Ramon Rosello-Mora from Esporles, Spain ran J species in a generous attempt to make an ANI calculation.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Everton has turned down persistent increasingly generous attempts by Manchester City to entice its star defender, Joleon Lescott.

The New York Times - Sports

Serious grabs of violence and crime, interspersed with feel-good one liners and generous attempts at audience engagement.

The Guardian - Opinion

DON'T BE ON YOUR PHONE!!! Be Generous – Try to imagine what the person is attempting and help them find a way to get there.

Stanford University

More simply, it's a gaggle of drunken people in homemade boats ("boat" being a generous term) attempting to joust, battle one another with padded weapons, and otherwise compete for nothing but the obscurest of glories.

Vice

Because of these provisions the act has been called a generous and statesmanlike attempt to deal with the peculiar conditions of the province.

Britannica

Even so, the show is more a generous retrenchment than an attempted revision.

The New York Times - Arts

Hammer time ReprintsBe generous, and assume that attempts to manipulate LIBOR are in the past.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "generous attempt", ensure the context clearly indicates the act being described is both well-intentioned and substantial in its effort or scope.

Common error

Avoid using "generous attempt" when the effort yielded minimal or no positive results. If the outcome was negligible, consider using phrases like "well-intentioned but unsuccessful attempt" to provide a more accurate representation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generous attempt" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "generous" modifies the noun "attempt". It describes the nature of the effort being made. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "generous attempt" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe an effort characterized by both good intentions and significant investment. As Ludwig AI confirms, its correct usage spans diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While "generous attempt" isn't extremely common, it effectively conveys appreciation for substantial endeavors. To enhance writing, consider context-appropriate alternatives like "magnanimous endeavor" or "benevolent effort" to fine-tune the specific nuance you wish to express. Remember to reserve the phrase for situations where the attempt truly reflects both generosity and significant effort, avoiding its use when the impact is minimal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

benevolent effort

Substitutes "attempt" with "effort" and "generous" with "benevolent" to highlight the kindness and goodwill behind the action.

magnanimous endeavor

Replaces "attempt" with "endeavor" and "generous" with "magnanimous" to suggest a grander, more noble effort.

altruistic undertaking

Replaces "attempt" with "undertaking" and "generous" with "altruistic" to emphasize the selfless nature of the action.

charitable endeavor

Uses "charitable" instead of "generous" to highlight the philanthropy of the action.

selfless pursuit

This option emphasizes the lack of personal gain in the attempt.

big-hearted effort

This alternative replaces "generous" with "big-hearted", making the phrase sound more informal and emotional.

kindly intervention

This alternative emphasizes the positive impact of the attempt on others.

humanitarian act

Highlights the focus on human welfare in the attempt.

noble gesture

Replaces the phrase with a shorter, more impactful expression focusing on the positive aspect of the action.

considerate approach

This substitute phrase frames the 'attempt' as a thoughtful and caring method or strategy, highlighting its sensitivity and attentiveness to the needs or feelings of others.

FAQs

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

You can use "generous attempt" to describe an action that is both well-intentioned and involves a significant amount of effort. For instance, "Her generous attempt to organize the charity event was appreciated by everyone involved."

What are some alternatives to saying "generous attempt"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "magnanimous endeavor", "benevolent effort", or "altruistic undertaking".

Is "generous attempt" formal or informal?

"Generous attempt" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall tone and style of your writing. It's a relatively neutral phrase that can be used in various situations.

What is the difference between "generous attempt" and "well-intentioned attempt"?

While both phrases describe a positive action, "generous attempt" emphasizes the substantial effort or resources involved, whereas "well-intentioned attempt" focuses primarily on the good intentions behind the action. The choice depends on which aspect you want to highlight.