noble attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "noble attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort that is commendable or admirable, even if it may not have succeeded. Example: "Although the project did not achieve its intended goals, it was a noble attempt to address the community's needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

In a botched but noble attempt to save Lady Rebecca, Macleane is captured.

The Guardian - Film

South Africans made a noble attempt to exorcise its ghosts through its Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The New York Times

"Wallenberg," despite its problems, is a noble attempt and with a heavy-duty renovation might still succeed.

The New York Times

One could connect the dots up to Miley Cyrus's noble attempt to bring twerking to the masses.

The Guardian

It was a noble attempt, I guess, but it's like listening to someone play "Ave Maria" on a kazoo.

The New York Times - Magazine

To be fair to TalkSport, its second channel represents a pretty noble attempt to add something new to the spectrum.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

But she also cautioned that "quite noble attempts to defeat evil may, in sufficiently perverse circumstances, be mistaken for evil".

The New York Times

A Child's First Tablet This year there were two noble attempts to trick children into believing they could have their very own tablet.

The New York Times - Tech

Reporting the travails of stranded Chinese tourists, or the government's noble attempts to rescue them, is fine, but sympathy with the protesters is taboo.

The Economist

His intention, as he makes clear in the introduction, is not to provide a traditional "poetic" rendering, a pleasurable English "Onegin," like Avrahm Yarmolinsky's, James Falen's, or Charles Johnston's noble attempts.

The New Yorker

Syria's state-run media has conspicuously avoided mention of the Hama siege, focusing instead on news that suggests that all is normal in the country and what the media outlets have described as Mr. Assad's noble attempts to promote political dialogue and openness.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "noble attempt" to describe efforts that are well-intentioned and morally driven, even if they do not fully succeed. This highlights the positive intent and effort behind the action.

Common error

Avoid using "noble attempt" when a simpler description of effort would be more appropriate. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly formal or even pretentious. Consider if "good effort" or "sincere attempt" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "noble attempt" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "noble" modifies the noun "attempt". It describes the quality of the effort being made. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is usable and correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "noble attempt" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that describes an admirable effort, even if it doesn't succeed. Ludwig AI confirms it is usable in written English. It is frequently found in news and media, and is generally considered to have a neutral register. While alternatives like "laudable effort" and "commendable endeavor" exist, "noble attempt" specifically implies a morally driven intention behind the effort. When using the phrase, ensure it appropriately reflects the situation and avoid overuse in contexts where simpler terms might be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

laudable effort

Substitutes "attempt" with "effort" and "noble" with "laudable", emphasizing praiseworthiness.

commendable endeavor

Replaces "attempt" with "endeavor" and "noble" with "commendable", highlighting the deserving nature of praise.

admirable undertaking

Uses "admirable" instead of "noble" and "undertaking" in place of "attempt", suggesting a more significant project.

valiant effort

Replaces "noble" with "valiant", stressing courage and determination in the effort.

honorable endeavor

Uses "honorable" in place of "noble", emphasizing moral integrity in the effort.

spirited effort

Replaces "noble" with "spirited", highlighting enthusiasm and energy in the effort.

well-intentioned effort

Replaces "noble" with "well-intentioned", focusing on the positive intentions behind the effort.

altruistic endeavor

Emphasizes the selfless nature of the attempt.

principled effort

Highlights that the attempt is based on moral principles.

ambitious undertaking

Focuses on the large scale or reach of the attempt.

FAQs

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

Use "noble attempt" to describe an action or endeavor that is admirable and well-intentioned, even if it doesn't achieve the desired outcome. For example: "Despite its ultimate failure, the project was a "noble attempt" to address social inequality."

What are some alternatives to "noble attempt"?

You can use phrases like "laudable effort", "commendable endeavor", or "valiant effort" as alternatives to "noble attempt", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What distinguishes "noble attempt" from "good effort"?

"Noble attempt" implies a moral or ethical dimension to the effort, suggesting it was undertaken for a higher purpose. "Good effort" is more general and simply indicates that a reasonable amount of work was put in.

Is it correct to use "noble attempt" even if the outcome was unsuccessful?

Yes, "noble attempt" is often used to describe efforts that, while unsuccessful, were motivated by good intentions and carried out with admirable dedication. It focuses on the quality of the effort rather than the result.