mere attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mere attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort that is considered insignificant or lacking in seriousness. Example: "His mere attempt to apologize did not convince anyone of his sincerity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Microsoft's aim was far more devious than a mere attempt to sell browser software.

The New York Times

That's an ambitious agenda, and "Syndrome" doesn't always work, but the mere attempt makes for an intriguing, often bracing evening.

The New York Times

Apparently it was a mere attempt to read the future from "symptoms" in the present, much as a physician recognizes the onset of a disease.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Goethe had the sense to stay away from tragedy: "The mere attempt to write tragedy," he said, "might be my undoing".

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the mere attempt to get the parties to sit down and talk before going through the full legal proceedings could represent a positive step, Mr. Thompson said.

The New York Times

But to people like Mr Eckerstrom in Pima County, the mere attempt to pass a "nullification" law was too much to bear, suggesting that Maricopa, claiming to speak for Arizona, wants in effect to secede from America.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Here's an exchange between him and a hostage named Kitty: " 'People must have lived here once,' she says, pointing to gable walls of fallen cottages, mere attempts at normality.

The New York Times - Books

Besides, in retrospect, the privacy violations of years ago seem now more like mere attempts at cloning Twitter: let's make updates public!

TechCrunch

I have heard conservatives dismiss the positions of liberals as mere attempts to fit in with the prevailing culture, regardless of what the Bible says.

Huffington Post

The question remains, will they be mere attempts at emasculation or will they bring substance and value to the viewers who will have to make their final decision on the direction of this country in just three weeks?

Huffington Post

Disputing the growing number of women coming forward with allegations of sexual assault as mere attempts at "fifteen minutes of fame" or as part of a conspiracy by the opponent (and attacking the Khan family, mimicking a disabled reporter, insulting prisoners of war) was consistent with this lack of conscience and empathy.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mere attempt" to downplay the significance of an action, suggesting it is insufficient or inadequate for the task at hand.

Common error

Avoid using "mere attempt" when the effort actually yielded significant results, or when you are trying to praise a beginner's early achievements. It's better to use phrases like "first try", or "initial attempt" in these cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mere attempt" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI states, it describes an effort that is considered insignificant or lacking in seriousness. This phrase commonly serves to diminish the perceived value or impact of a particular action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mere attempt" is a grammatically correct expression used to downplay the significance or effectiveness of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in written English, particularly for expressing skepticism or criticism. While not exceedingly common, it finds consistent usage across news, encyclopedic, and scientific contexts. When writing, use it to emphasize the insufficiency or lack of sincerity behind an action, while avoiding it when the effort shows promise or yields positive outcomes. Alternative phrases like "simple try" or "token gesture" can provide nuanced ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simple try

Emphasizes the uncomplicated nature of the effort, often implying a lack of significant investment or complexity.

slight endeavor

Highlights the small amount of effort involved, suggesting a lack of ambition or seriousness.

token gesture

Focuses on the symbolic nature of the action, often implying it is done to satisfy expectations rather than achieve real change.

half-hearted effort

Indicates a lack of enthusiasm or commitment in the undertaking, suggesting a low chance of success.

perfunctory exercise

Highlights the routine and uninspired nature of the action, suggesting it is done without genuine interest or care.

superficial effort

Focuses on the lack of depth or thoroughness in the action, implying a failure to address the underlying issues.

insignificant try

Emphasizes the lack of importance or impact of the attempt, suggesting it is unlikely to make a difference.

basic attempt

Highlights the fundamental or rudimentary nature of the try, implying it lacks sophistication or expertise.

unambitious effort

Indicates a lack of significant goals or aspirations, suggesting the attempt is limited in scope and potential.

modest undertaking

Focuses on the limited scale and scope of the venture, implying it is not particularly challenging or demanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "mere attempt" to describe an effort that is considered insignificant or inadequate. For example, "His "mere attempt" to apologize did not convince anyone of his sincerity."

What are some alternatives to "mere attempt"?

Alternatives include "simple try", "slight endeavor", or "token gesture", depending on the specific context.

Is "mere attempt" a formal or informal phrase?

"Mere attempt" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally more common in writing than in casual conversation.

What's the difference between "mere attempt" and "genuine effort"?

"Mere attempt" suggests a superficial or inadequate effort, while "genuine effort" implies a sincere and committed undertaking.