mediocre attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mediocre attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort that is average or below expectations, often implying a lack of quality or success. Example: "The project was a mediocre attempt at innovation, failing to impress the stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The programme was launched five years ago as a bid to tackle decades of mediocre attempts to eliminate a shortage of 5.24m homes.

The Guardian

Or are you that desperate for your Facebook feed to go back to engagement announcements and mediocre attempts at food photography?

Vice

However mediocre its first attempt at something -- be it Windows, palmtops or online services -- the company doggedly plugs away, spending whatever years and dollars are needed to make its inventions successful.

The New York Times - Tech

But the play's the thing and Shaffer's study of the mediocre Salieri's attempt to destroy his detested rival, Mozart, not only sits well on the new, more flexible stage but seems part of the author's obsessive fascination with the relationship of man and God.

The Guardian

Naturally to grow some mediocre kinds will attempt to play foul games and stop your growth.

WikiHow

Yet, she has not jumped in two years, and her last attempt was a mediocre 20-11 3/4. 20-11 3/4

The New York Times - Sports

Cruz just released three mediocre television commercials that are attempts at real issues, but they are pedestrian, as if for state legislative office.

Huffington Post

I will attempt to become a mediocre musician.

The New Yorker

But errors (the number of times he fails) and fielding percentage (the rate at which he doesn't fail) often obscure the great glovemen who make dozens of plays that the mediocre don't have a chance to attempt.

The New York Times

But every attempt I've seen seems mediocre at best.

TechCrunch

Mediocre Spies will flee when damaged or attempt to cloak and hide, both of which will immediately warn the enemy team that there is a Spy.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To soften the negative connotation of "mediocre attempt", consider pairing it with suggestions for improvement or emphasizing potential for future success. This provides constructive feedback rather than pure criticism.

Common error

Avoid simply labeling something as a "mediocre attempt" without providing specific reasons. This can come across as dismissive and unhelpful. Instead, detail the aspects that fell short and offer constructive criticism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mediocre attempt" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "mediocre" modifies the noun "attempt". The purpose of this phrase is to describe an action or effort that is considered to be of poor quality or standard, in line with the explanations provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mediocre attempt" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe an action or effort that is considered to be of poor quality or standard. As explained by Ludwig, its primary function is to express a negative evaluation. The register is neutral, making it suitable for various contexts, with its usage being more frequent in News & Media and Wiki sources. Despite the correctness of the expression, Ludwig data indicates that there are no exact examples of its use. As such, we can also infer that alternative expressions like "subpar effort", "poorly executed try" or "failed endeavor" may be preferred in certain contexts to better convey the intended meaning or nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subpar effort

Replaces "mediocre" with "subpar", indicating performance below the expected standard.

poorly executed try

Focuses on the execution aspect, highlighting that the attempt was not carried out well.

failed endeavor

Emphasizes the lack of success in the undertaking.

uninspired effort

Suggests a lack of enthusiasm or creativity in the attempt.

weak undertaking

Highlights the feebleness or inadequacy of the attempt.

deficient effort

Points out the shortcomings and inadequacies of the attempt.

lousy shot

Implies that the attempt was carelessly or poorly made.

flimsy try

Conveys that the attempt was weak and not substantial.

half-hearted effort

Indicates a lack of commitment or enthusiasm in the attempt.

unsuccessful stab

Shows that the attempt did not achieve its intended result.

FAQs

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

You can use "mediocre attempt" to describe an effort or action that is not very good or successful. For example, "The project was a mediocre attempt at innovation, failing to impress the stakeholders."

What can I say instead of "mediocre attempt"?

You can use alternatives like "subpar effort", "poorly executed try", or "failed endeavor" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "mediocre attempt" or "poor attempt"?

Both "mediocre attempt" and "poor attempt" are acceptable, but "mediocre" suggests something is average or slightly below average, while "poor" suggests it is significantly below average. Choose the word that best reflects the degree of inadequacy.

What makes an attempt "mediocre"?

An attempt can be considered "mediocre" if it lacks quality, innovation, or effectiveness. It may not be entirely unsuccessful but fails to meet expectations or achieve a high standard.