plain attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plain attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a straightforward or simple effort to achieve something, often implying a lack of sophistication or complexity. Example: "His plain attempt to solve the problem was admirable, even if it didn't yield the desired results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This was a plain attempt to instigate strife and gain civic tension and profit off of all of it".

Vice

However, a plain attempt to allocate a patient out of sequence will be discovered because the envelopes are sequentially numbered and the allocation can be compared with the predetermined sequence.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

As the experts make plain, any attempt to decouple the future of the Great Barrier Reef from the quest to contain global warming is simply dishonest.

The Guardian

For example, Learning to fill a glass could be learned from demonstration by a human and "copied" by the robot, but it is known (A. Ude, personal communication) that the results of such a plain learning attempt are not satisfactory (spill-over, low filling level).

Biological Cybernetics

His pieces are a single-minded, unapologetic, plain-speaking attempt to continue the values of the music that was closest to him in new and distinctive ways.

The Guardian - Music

Likewise in Jane Eyre, Mr Rochester falls in love with Plain Jane, attempts to commit bigamy, is thwarted, his wife luckily burns to death and they live happily ever after.

The Guardian - Books

In systems where overall reimbursement is guaranteed by the government, there is a tendency to increased used of low cost techniques, such as ultrasound and plain radiography, to attempt to substitute for the higher costs of higher tech procedures such as MRI and CT.

Insights into Imaging

Here, written out plain, is their attempt to erase our very existence as transgender people," the law center tweeted.

Huffington Post

But once either of these shots malfunctions he is plain and his attempts at variety, notably on the serve and volley, are often cringingly awful.

The Guardian - Sport

Even to a lawyer, the irony here can't be missed: in plain-speak, "to attempt" suggests that an act was unsuccessful and incomplete; only in this case, one of the people Dunn is guilty of having "attempted" to murder is actually dead.

Huffington Post

Wine is also a delicious addition to the cooking liquid when you are warming the broth... It's advisable to master cooking plain risotto before attempting complex additions.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plain attempt" when you want to convey that an effort was simple and direct, without any hidden agenda or sophistication. For example, "It was a "plain attempt" to distract from the main issue."

Common error

While "plain attempt" is grammatically correct, it can sound somewhat informal or even dismissive in certain contexts. In formal writing, consider using stronger and more precise alternatives like "direct effort" or "uncomplicated approach" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plain attempt" functions as a noun phrase describing a particular type of effort. As supported by Ludwig, it characterizes an attempt as being straightforward and lacking in complexity or artifice.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "plain attempt" describes a straightforward, simple effort, often lacking sophistication. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Its frequency is rare, and while the phrase can be used in news and scientific contexts, it might be better to opt for more formal alternatives like "direct effort" or "uncomplicated approach" in professional writing. While appropriate in many situations, avoid overusing the phrase, especially when a stronger, more descriptive term could better capture the nuance of the attempt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

straightforward attempt

Emphasizes the direct and uncomplicated nature of the effort.

simple endeavor

Replaces "attempt" with "endeavor", suggesting a less complex undertaking.

basic try

Uses more informal language to convey a rudimentary effort.

clear effort

Highlights the obvious and easily perceivable nature of the attempt.

evident undertaking

Similar to "clear effort" but employs a more formal word choice.

uncomplicated try

Focuses on the lack of complexity in the effort.

modest effort

Indicates a limited or unassuming attempt.

unelaborate attempt

Highlights the absence of detail or sophistication in the endeavor.

unsophisticated endeavor

Directly points out the lack of refinement in the undertaking.

artless effort

Implies a lack of skill or cunning in the attempt.

FAQs

What does "plain attempt" mean?

The phrase "plain attempt" refers to a straightforward and simple effort, often lacking complexity or sophistication. It suggests a direct and uncomplicated approach to achieving something.

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

You can use "plain attempt" to describe an action that is simple and direct. For example, "His "plain attempt" to apologize wasn't very convincing."

What are some alternatives to "plain attempt"?

Alternatives include "straightforward attempt", "simple endeavor", or "basic try" depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "plain attempt" considered formal or informal?

"Plain attempt" leans towards being somewhat informal. In more formal settings, consider alternatives like "direct effort" or "uncomplicated approach".