obvious attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

"obvious attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when referring to an effort to do something that was particularly recognizable as an effort. For example, "The politician made an obvious attempt to win over the audience with his speech."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And here we have an obvious attempt to cheat".

The New York Times - Sports

Winkler makes no obvious attempt to impersonate a man.

The Guardian

The mayor said: "It is an obvious attempt to intimate the people of New York City.

The Guardian

It was an obvious attempt at political character assassination, transgressing the protocols of political argument.

The Guardian - Opinion

How did Bonds react after what seemed like such an obvious attempt to hit him?

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Bayou was circumspect of Halston's motives, saying, "That was an obvious attempt to save a label about to drown".

The New York Times

"What is happening here is an obvious attempt to foist this stuff on young African-American men," Mr. Burrell said.

The New York Times

Bloomingdale's ran ads last week linking style and value in what seemed an obvious attempt to compete.

The New York Times - Style

According to Isacson, the raids were an obvious attempt to look tough and head off anti-immigration critics.

The Guardian

"Right," Pallett said after a moment, making an obvious attempt to pull himself together, and shuffled somewhat shakily onstage.

The New York Times - Magazine

They had billed Rapid's visit, unapologetically, as "25 Years On" in an obvious attempt to sell tickets.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "clear effort" or "evident endeavor" for variety and to avoid repetition, especially when describing similar situations in close proximity within your text.

Common error

While "obvious attempt" is widely understood, overuse in formal or academic writing can sound less sophisticated. Opt for more nuanced alternatives like "discernible effort" or "apparent endeavor" to maintain a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obvious attempt" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a direct object or subject complement. It describes an action undertaken with a clear and easily perceived intention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obvious attempt" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to describe actions undertaken with a clear, often unsubtle, intention. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, where it serves to highlight or critique actions. While generally neutral in register, its overuse in formal writing should be avoided in favor of more sophisticated alternatives. The frequency and consistency with which authoritative sources employ this phrase underscore its validity and relevance in contemporary English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clear effort

Replaces "obvious" with "clear", emphasizing the ease of recognition.

evident endeavor

Substitutes both words with synonyms highlighting visibility and purposefulness.

unconcealed bid

Highlights that the effort was not hidden or secretive.

plain striving

Uses more informal terms to indicate simplicity and directness in the effort.

noticeable try

Focuses on the act of trying and its easily observed nature.

transparent maneuver

Implies a strategic move that is easily seen through.

patent undertaking

Suggests the attempt is so obvious it's almost officially declared.

manifest action

Emphasizes that the action taken was outwardly visible and apparent.

ostensible effort

Indicates the effort is outwardly apparent but may conceal other intentions.

flagrant measure

Highlights the boldness and visibility of the action taken.

FAQs

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

You can use "obvious attempt" to describe actions that are clearly intended to achieve a specific result. For example, "The politician's speech was an "obvious attempt" to gain votes".

What are some synonyms for "obvious attempt"?

Some synonyms for "obvious attempt" include "clear effort", "evident endeavor", or "plain striving". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to describe something as an "obvious attempt"?

Not necessarily. While it can imply a lack of subtlety or even a degree of clumsiness, describing something as an "obvious attempt" is not inherently negative. The context and intent behind the attempt are key to its interpretation.

What is the difference between "obvious attempt" and "deliberate attempt"?

"Obvious attempt" emphasizes the visibility or transparency of the effort, while "deliberate attempt" focuses on the intentionality and premeditation behind the action. A "deliberate attempt" may or may not be obvious.