little attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

"little attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase in a sentence to describe a minimal or basic effort. For example: "Unfortunately, the team made only a little attempt at winning the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hayes made little attempt to appear disinterested.

The New Yorker

Religious leaders have made little attempt to calm tensions.

The New York Times

The Flex band makes little attempt to score style points.

The New York Times - Tech

The Wild made little attempt to re-sign him.

The New York Times - Sports

There was little attempt to secure the support of allies.

The Economist

Yet the police made little attempt to investigate him.

The Economist

Little attempt is made to suspend the reader's disbelief.

The Guardian - Books

But there was little attempt to keep secrets.

The New York Times - Sports

But they make little attempt to contact their existing savers to persuade them to switch.

The Economist

There is, however, relatively little attempt to draw parallels between western and eastern thought.

The Economist

His speech is arrogant and aristocratic, with little attempt at flattery.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "little attempt", ensure the context clearly conveys the lack of significant effort or intention. Consider adding specific details to illustrate the inadequacy of the attempt.

Common error

Avoid using "little attempt" when there was actually a considerable effort made, even if unsuccessful. Choose a phrase that accurately reflects the level of effort exerted, such as "unsuccessful attempt" or "failed effort".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little attempt" functions as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a verb (e.g., "made little attempt"). It indicates a lack of significant effort towards a particular goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is standard and correct English usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "little attempt" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a situation where minimal effort has been made. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usability and correctness are not in doubt. It's frequently found in news articles, scientific publications, and encyclopedias, making it suitable for neutral or even formal writing. However, the intent is often critical to express disappointment or a lack of commitment. For alternatives, consider phrases like "insufficient attempt" or "minimal effort" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficient attempt

Replaces "little" with "insufficient", emphasizing the inadequacy of the effort.

minimal effort

Substitutes "attempt" with "effort", focusing on the level of exertion.

scant effort

Uses "scant" instead of "little" to highlight the limited amount of effort exerted.

negligible attempt

Replaces "little" with "negligible", suggesting the attempt was insignificant.

token effort

Indicates an attempt made primarily for appearance, with little real intent.

half-hearted attempt

Emphasizes the lack of enthusiasm or commitment in the attempt.

perfunctory attempt

Suggests the attempt was carried out routinely and without genuine interest.

superficial effort

Focuses on the lack of depth or thoroughness in the effort made.

cursory attempt

Highlights the brief and hasty nature of the attempt.

faint attempt

Implies the attempt was weak and lacked conviction.

FAQs

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

You can use "little attempt" to describe a situation where someone makes a minimal effort. For instance, "The company made "little attempt" to address the customer complaints."

What are some alternatives to "little attempt"?

Some alternatives to "little attempt" include "minimal effort", "scant effort", or "insufficient attempt". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "little attempt"?

Yes, "little attempt" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to indicate a small or inadequate effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, the usage is correct.

What's the difference between "little attempt" and "no attempt"?

"Little attempt" suggests that some effort, however small, was made. "No attempt", on the other hand, indicates a complete absence of effort. For example, The team made "little attempt" to score versus The team made "no attempt" to score.