poor attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poor attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when describing something that was not successful or done with little effort. For example, "The student's art assignment was a poor attempt that hardly showed any effort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Buffon gathers a poor attempt easily enough.

The Guardian - Sport

"We told the students involved that the signs were a poor attempt at humor".

The New York Times - Sports

"It was a poor attempt at humor and he regrets it very much.

The Washington Post

The leaks are a poor attempt to discredit these athletes and do not show any wrong doing.

The Guardian - Sport

"Clearly I used a stupid analogy in a poor attempt at humour," Russell said in a statement.

The Guardian - Film

The Rangers player actually made a poor attempt at exploiting the position, sending a feeble shot straight at Buffon.

The Guardian - Sport

He said the message was a "poor attempt at humor" while making fun of his friend's apparel.

The New York Times - Sports

Some of the kids have been in jail because Greek police have been putting minors in detention centers in a poor attempt to get them off the streets.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I ask him to go upstairs to kiss our daughter goodnight, a poor attempt to assuage my growing sense of guilt.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That wasn't the easiest of chances, at high speed and at a tight angle, but nevertheless that was an astonishingly poor attempt, not even close.

The Guardian - Sport

A source within the SNP hit back at what she called a "poor attempt by Labour to deflect from its own campaign".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "poor attempt", ensure the context clearly indicates what aspect of the attempt was deficient, such as skill, planning, or execution.

Common error

Avoid using "poor attempt" without specifying what made the attempt poor. Instead of saying "That was a poor attempt", try "That was a poor attempt at tackling, as he missed the opponent completely."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poor attempt" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that an effort or action was inadequate or of low quality. Ludwig confirms this usage with numerous examples where "poor attempt" describes various actions or efforts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poor attempt" is a frequently used phrase to describe an action or effort that lacks quality or effectiveness. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions descriptively to convey criticism or disappointment. While its register is neutral, careful consideration should be given to the context to ensure the tone is appropriate, especially in formal settings. It's also wise to provide specific details about the inadequacy rather than relying solely on the vague descriptor "poor attempt". Common alternatives include "weak effort", "feeble try", and "lousy effort". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weak effort

Emphasizes the lack of strength or vigor in the attempt.

feeble try

Highlights the weakness and ineffectiveness of the attempt.

lousy effort

Indicates a very low quality or unsatisfactory attempt.

inadequate endeavor

Stresses the insufficiency of the attempt to meet the required standard.

deficient effort

Focuses on the lack of necessary qualities or elements in the attempt.

substandard attempt

Highlights that the attempt falls below an acceptable level or standard.

uninspired effort

Suggests a lack of enthusiasm or creativity in the attempt.

half-hearted attempt

Implies a lack of commitment or sincerity in the attempt.

botched attempt

Indicates that the attempt was clumsily or badly done.

flawed endeavor

Focuses on the presence of errors or imperfections in the attempt.

FAQs

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

You can use "poor attempt" to describe something that was done with little effort or skill and did not succeed. For example, "His speech was a "poor attempt" to justify his actions".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "poor attempt"?

Alternatives to "poor attempt" include phrases like "weak effort", "feeble try", or "lousy effort", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "poor attempt" in formal writing?

While "poor attempt" is understandable, it can be perceived as somewhat informal or critical. In formal writing, consider using more neutral or specific language, such as "inadequate effort" or "unsuccessful endeavor."

What's the difference between "poor attempt" and "failed attempt"?

"Poor attempt" emphasizes the lack of quality or effort in the attempt itself, whereas "failed attempt" simply indicates that the attempt did not succeed. A "poor attempt" might be destined to fail from the start, while a "failed attempt" could have been well-intentioned but ultimately unsuccessful.