numerous attempts

USAGE SUMMARY

"numerous attempts" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a large number of actions taken to achieve a goal. For example, "The team made numerous attempts to win the championship before finally succeeding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He survived numerous attempts on his life.

The Guardian

But numerous attempts to use antibodies as drugs failed.

The New York Times - Science

The retailer made numerous attempts to woo the Jewish community.

The New York Times

(Numerous attempts to reach Mr. Brunner were unsuccessful).

The New York Times

She ignored my numerous attempts to give her advice.

Independent

Numerous attempts to get the troupe on to television failed, as producers deemed them "too sexy".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The Guardian made numerous attempts to contact Chambers's ex-boyfriend for comment but received no response.

The Guardian

If we aren't I imagine it's only because numerous attempts have so far failed.

The Guardian

Over the years, numerous attempts have been made to kill him.

The New Yorker

The clinic has already faced numerous attempts to restrict how and where it performs abortions.

The Guardian

Hadim has led the fightback against numerous attempts by hardliners to seize control of Barelvi mosques.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your language. While "numerous attempts" is perfectly acceptable, using synonyms like "multiple endeavors" or "several efforts" can add nuance to your writing and avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "numerous attempts" when the actual number of attempts is small and easily countable. It's better to use a more precise term like "three attempts" if the number is known and not especially large.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "numerous attempts" functions as a noun phrase, where "numerous" modifies the noun "attempts". As suggested by Ludwig AI, it describes a situation where a task has been tried repeatedly. This expression is frequently used to set the stage for a narrative, indicating the effort involved in a process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

41%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "numerous attempts" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to describe a situation involving many tries, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It commonly appears in news, scientific articles, and general writing, reflecting its broad applicability. The phrase functions as a noun phrase and serves to emphasize the effort and persistence involved in a particular endeavor. While ""numerous attempts"" is widely used, it's advisable to avoid overusing the phrase and instead choose synonyms like "multiple endeavors" to add nuance to writing. As Ludwig shows, it's a handy expression for conveying effort and determination, whether in success or failure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

many tries

Focuses on the act of trying multiple times, emphasizing the repetition of the effort.

multiple endeavors

Highlights the efforts made, particularly when each attempt involves a significant undertaking.

several efforts

Similar to "numerous attempts", but might suggest a slightly smaller quantity of attempts.

various tries

Emphasizes the variety of approaches used during the attempts.

repeated efforts

Stresses the fact that attempts were made again and again, suggesting persistence.

countless tries

Implies that the number of attempts was so high it was difficult to count or keep track of.

frequent attempts

Focuses on how often the attempts were made, rather than the total number.

a multitude of attempts

Uses a more formal tone to indicate a very large number of attempts.

a host of attempts

Similar to 'a multitude of attempts', suggesting a large and possibly overwhelming number.

many stabs

Suggests less structured attempts; more like experimental tries than organized efforts.

FAQs

How can I use "numerous attempts" in a sentence?

"Numerous attempts" is typically used to describe a situation where a task or goal required many tries before success (or failure). For example, "Despite "numerous attempts", the team couldn't score a goal."

What are some alternatives to "numerous attempts"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "multiple endeavors", "several efforts", "many tries", or "repeated attempts".

Is it better to say "numerous attempts" or "many attempts"?

Both "numerous attempts" and "many attempts" are grammatically correct and similar in meaning. "Numerous" might suggest a slightly larger or more significant number of attempts than "many", but the difference is often negligible.

Can "numerous attempts" apply to both successful and unsuccessful endeavors?

Yes, ""numerous attempts"" can describe both successful and unsuccessful endeavors. The phrase focuses on the quantity of attempts made, not the outcome. For instance, you could say, "After "numerous attempts", they finally succeeded" or "Despite "numerous attempts", they still failed".