meagre attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

"meagre attempt" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is used to describe an inadequate or unsuccessful effort. For example, "John made a meagre attempt to clean up the mess, but it was not enough."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Especially given that this — the "dressing room" it was called — was Amtrak's one meagre attempt to recapture some glamour.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Tells about the meagre attempts by local retail establishments to capitalize on the show.

The New Yorker

The 2006 film was notably dry, consisting mainly of graphs and the former vice president's meagre attempts at cracking a few dad jokes.

The Guardian - Film

The primary health care system in India has put more emphasis on IEC and preventive activities related to infectious diseases and family planning and only meagre attempts have been made to prevent CVDs and their risk factors including hypertension.

BMC Public Health

She describes her family and her meagre education; her friends attempt to play in the muddy camp – the images are so real you could almost kick the football that is being tossed around you.

The Guardian

It indulges his love of figuring things out, plus it identifies him as a detail-oriented aesthete compared to the likes of David Cameron, forever rubbing his greasy thumbs across his screen as he hamfistedly attempts to beat his own meagre Fruit Ninja highscore.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

To win, Mr Kerry needs more white male voters than the meagre 36% Al Gore won last time; hence his sterling attempts to seem macho.

The Economist

The actress was criticised after she revealed she'd taken on the task of attempting to feed herself and her family on the meagre welfare budget.

Independent

Amid the broader picture of where Chelsea have been trying to head, with painstaking public consultation over plans to expand their stadium, Mourinho's attempts to adhere to the new code seemed pitifully meagre.

Independent

Families solemnly carry their handful of meagre belongings as they walk through the murky ponds of infested water in an attempt to get to safer locations.

Unicef

When band pianist John Hawken chastised him in his Carnaby Street office for the meagre sums he advanced the group, Arden began to strangle the musician before attempting to throw him from the second storey window, shouting: "You're going over, John, you're going over".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "meagre attempt" to convey that an effort was not only small but also likely to be unsuccessful due to its limited nature.

Common error

Avoid using "meagre attempt" when the effort, though small, had a reasonable chance of success. "Modest attempt" might be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meagre attempt" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "meagre" modifies the noun "attempt". This describes the quality or nature of the attempt, indicating it was small and insufficient. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "meagre attempt" is a grammatically correct and relatively uncommon phrase used to describe an effort that is small, inadequate, and unlikely to succeed. It functions as a noun phrase, often expressing a critical assessment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, with a slight lean towards neutrality. While there are alternative phrases such as "scant attempt" or "modest attempt", the best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using this phrase, ensure that the effort truly was both small and unlikely to succeed; otherwise, consider a more neutral alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scant attempt

Replaces "meagre" with "scant", emphasizing the lack of substance or quantity in the effort.

modest attempt

Substitutes "meagre" with "modest", highlighting the humility or limited scope of the undertaking.

insufficient attempt

Replaces "meagre" with "insufficient", focusing on the inadequacy of the effort to achieve the desired outcome.

feeble attempt

Changes "meagre" to "feeble", indicating a lack of strength or effectiveness in the attempt.

limited attempt

Substitutes "meagre" with "limited", emphasizing the restricted nature or scope of the effort.

slight attempt

Replaces "meagre" with "slight", denoting the small degree or intensity of the effort.

weak attempt

Substitutes "meagre" with "weak", highlighting the lack of power or effectiveness in the effort.

small attempt

Changes "meagre" to "small", focusing on the reduced size or scale of the attempt.

paltry attempt

Replaces "meagre" with "paltry", suggesting that the attempt is insignificant or worthless.

poor attempt

Substitutes "meagre" with "poor", indicating the low quality or ineffectiveness of the attempt.

FAQs

What does "meagre attempt" mean?

The phrase "meagre attempt" refers to an effort that is small, inadequate, or insufficient to achieve a desired outcome. It suggests that the attempt was weak and unlikely to succeed.

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

You can use "meagre attempt" to describe someone's unsuccessful effort, like "His "meagre attempt" to fix the car failed, and he had to call a mechanic."

What are some alternatives to "meagre attempt"?

Alternatives to "meagre attempt" include "scant attempt", "modest attempt", or "insufficient attempt". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "meagre attempt" a formal or informal expression?

"Meagre attempt" is a relatively neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, consider the audience and purpose to ensure it conveys the intended meaning effectively.