good attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

"good attempt" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to acknowledge someone's effort, such as in the following sentence: John's painting was far from perfect, but it was still a good attempt at creating a masterpiece.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Good attempt, good try.

The New York Times - Sports

"A very good attempt," patronises Jim Beglin on ITV.

The Guardian - Sport

This was a good attempt, but it was not profound enough.

The New York Times

It was a good attempt, but not entirely successful.Reassurance is needed.

The Economist

It was a good attempt to explain what you were thinking".

The New Yorker

Had a good attempt entering the final 20 minutes, heading a corner just wide.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

There have been some pretty good attempts at "War and Peace".

The New York Times

Hamburg showed some "good attempts" (Labbadia) of attempting to play some football but once again could not score.

The Guardian - Sport

There have been good attempts by federal regulators and Obama administration officials to address the worst practices.

The New York Times

They've had four good attempts on goal and scored three goals.

BBC

Strong minds understand that good attempts at ordering are at best approximations.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "good attempt" when you want to acknowledge someone's effort positively, even if the outcome wasn't perfect. It's suitable for providing encouragement and recognizing dedication.

Common error

Avoid using "good attempt" sarcastically or dismissively, as this can undermine the recipient's effort and create a negative impression. Ensure your tone is genuinely appreciative when using this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "good attempt" functions primarily as an acknowledgment or commendation of effort. It serves to recognize the action of trying, irrespective of the final outcome. Ludwig AI confirms this, showcasing examples where "good attempt" appears in varied contexts to denote effort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "good attempt" is a frequently used phrase that serves to acknowledge and commend effort, regardless of the outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. Its communicative purpose is primarily to offer encouragement and validation. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to ensure genuine appreciation to avoid any misinterpretation. Alternatives like "commendable effort" or "respectable try" can be used to vary your language while conveying a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commendable effort

Emphasizes the praiseworthy nature of the effort made.

notable effort

Highlights that the effort is worthy of attention or recognition.

creditable effort

Suggests the effort was respectable and deserving of praise.

respectable try

Indicates the attempt was decent, even if it didn't fully succeed.

worthwhile endeavor

Focuses on the value and significance of the undertaking.

promising start

Implies the beginning was positive and full of potential.

valiant effort

Stresses the courage and determination behind the effort.

strong effort

Highlights the intensity and power put into the attempt.

determined effort

Focuses on the resolute and persistent nature of the attempt.

earnest endeavor

Emphasizes the sincerity and seriousness of the attempt.

FAQs

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

"Good attempt" is typically used to acknowledge someone's effort, even if they didn't succeed. For example, "That was a "good attempt" at solving the problem, but let's try another approach."

What are some alternatives to saying "good attempt"?

Instead of "good attempt", you can use phrases like "commendable effort", "notable effort", or "respectable try", depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "good attempt" always appropriate to use?

While generally positive, "good attempt" can sometimes come across as condescending if the effort was minimal or the person was expected to perform much better. Consider the context and your relationship with the person before using this phrase.

What's the difference between "good attempt" and "successful attempt"?

"Good attempt" acknowledges the effort made, regardless of the outcome. "Successful attempt" indicates that the effort resulted in the desired outcome. Use "successful attempt" when the goal was achieved, and "good attempt" when recognizing the effort even if it fell short.