made several attempts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made several attempts" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone has made multiple efforts to achieve something. Example sentence: She made several attempts to pass the test, but was ultimately unsuccessful.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She has also made several attempts at fiction.

The Guardian - Books

Kinski made several attempts to return the compliment.

The Guardian

Yate made several attempts to escape, eventually succeeding.

The Guardian

Google has made several attempts to strengthen its social networking offerings and compete with Facebook.

The New York Times - Tech

Orszag made several attempts to mend things before deciding to leave, but eventually gave up.

The New Yorker

Cummings made several attempts to get Bowie to come over to their table.

The New Yorker

Vice-President Thomas Jefferson made several attempts to get his hands on the bones.

The New Yorker

He then made several attempts to hug her, and she had to ward him off.

The Guardian

Transcontinental has made several attempts to shore up the print edition.

The New York Times - Tech

The Taliban had made several attempts on the mayor's life before Sunday.

The New York Times

First she made several attempts at fictionalising her wartime experiences without much success.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made several attempts" when you want to emphasize the repeated nature of an action and that multiple efforts were undertaken. It's suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "several attempts were made" when you can use the active voice. The active voice (e.g., "He made several attempts") is often clearer and more direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made several attempts" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the act of trying repeatedly. It emphasizes the process of undertaking multiple efforts to achieve a particular goal. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Wiki

24%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "made several attempts" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe repeated efforts. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and broad applicability. The phrase is versatile, fitting into various contexts from news reporting to scientific writing, though it's most prevalent in news and media. Alternatives such as "tried repeatedly" or "persistently tried" offer subtle variations in emphasis, but the core meaning remains consistent. When using this phrase, prioritize active voice for clarity and directness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made multiple efforts

Replaces "attempts" with "efforts" offering a more formal tone.

tried repeatedly

Focuses on the repetition of the action, simplifying the phrasing.

persistently tried

Highlights the persistent nature of the attempts.

endeavored repeatedly

Uses a more formal and emphatic synonym for "tried".

strove several times

Emphasizes the effort and struggle involved.

kept trying

A more casual way to indicate continued effort.

had several goes

An informal alternative, especially common in British English.

took several shots

Implies attempts at a specific task or goal.

gave it several tries

A more colloquial phrasing that emphasizes the act of trying.

worked at it repeatedly

Highlights the active engagement and labor involved in the attempts.

FAQs

How can I use "made several attempts" in a sentence?

You can use "made several attempts" to describe repeated efforts to achieve something. For example, "She "made several attempts" to contact the customer service, but no one answered."

What are some alternatives to "made several attempts"?

Some alternatives include "tried repeatedly", "made multiple efforts", or "persistently tried" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "made several attempts" or "attempted several times"?

"Made several attempts" and "attempted several times" are quite similar, but "made several attempts" is often perceived as slightly more natural and common in everyday language.

What's the difference between "made several attempts" and "kept trying"?

"Made several attempts" suggests a series of discrete, identifiable efforts, while "kept trying" implies a more continuous and less defined effort.