preliminary attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

"preliminary attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe an initial effort to accomplish something, for example: "We made a preliminary attempt to solve the problem, but we did not succeed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A preliminary attempt to tackle uncertainty in the demand is also made.

Energy

It is a preliminary attempt to design an innovative solar-based evaporation system under vacuum.

Desalination

This paper describes a preliminary attempt to develop a methodology for the assessment of structural systems to UNDEX effects.

International Journal of Impact Engineering

A preliminary attempt has been made to describe the clinical profiles of subjects who were thought to benefit from MWMs.

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics

This paper is a preliminary attempt to propose and analyse a global failure criterion for a particular class of adhesively bonded composite-metal joints.

Composites Part B: Engineering

This paper delivers a preliminary attempt to find the optimized caging positions for a three-finger robotic hand designed for home-use logistical environments.

Signal Processing

In this work, we fabricate MgB2 thick film on a stainless steel cylinder using HPCVD to make a preliminary attempt for SMS with MgB2 films.

Physica C: Superconductivity and its Applications

Our work is a preliminary attempt for practicality of high capacity metal oxide anodes in Li-ion batteries used for the electronic devices.

Electrochimica Acta

This article describes a preliminary attempt to discriminate vocal tremor sources through the use of spectral measures of the amplitude envelope.

Journal of Voice

He invited us to shovel dirt into the grave, and after we made a preliminary attempt he admonished us, rather sternly, that we had to keep shovelling until the coffin was completely covered.

The New Yorker

This brief communication is a preliminary attempt to apply models developed for electrochemical deposition of metals from aqueous solutions or molten salts (passivation-free condition), to the more complicated case of Li deposition from nonaqueous solutions.

Electrochimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "preliminary attempt", clearly state the purpose or goal of the attempt to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "preliminary attempt" as a definitive solution or a comprehensive study. Clearly acknowledge its limitations and potential for further development.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary attempt" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an initial effort or undertaking, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples, where it frequently introduces research papers or studies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

85%

News & Media

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preliminary attempt" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe an initial effort, particularly in scientific and formal contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively sets expectations by indicating that the work is a starting point and may require further development. While versatile, it's essential to consider the context and avoid overstating the significance of the attempt. Alternatives like "initial endeavor" or "pilot study" may be more appropriate depending on the specific situation. This phrase is suitable for academic, scientific, and professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial endeavor

Replaces "attempt" with "endeavor", suggesting a more formal or significant undertaking.

early effort

Focuses on the temporal aspect of the attempt, emphasizing its occurrence at an early stage.

pilot study

Specifically used in research contexts, implying a small-scale study conducted before a larger one.

test run

Suggests a trial or experiment to assess the feasibility or effectiveness of something.

first shot

An informal way to describe the first try at something, often implying a chance of failure.

trial initiative

Highlights the experimental and proactive nature of the attempt.

exploratory venture

Emphasizes the investigative aspect, suggesting an attempt to discover or explore something new.

probing exercise

Similar to "exploratory venture", but more focused on gathering information or understanding a situation.

dry run

Suggests a rehearsal or practice session before the real attempt.

maiden voyage

Often used metaphorically to describe the first time something is used or attempted, particularly something complex or significant.

FAQs

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

You can use "preliminary attempt" to describe an initial effort to achieve a goal, such as "This study is a "preliminary attempt" to understand the effects of climate change on local ecosystems".

What are some alternatives to "preliminary attempt"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "initial endeavor", "early effort", or "pilot study".

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

Yes, "preliminary attempt" is suitable for formal writing, especially in scientific or academic contexts where you need to describe an initial investigation or experiment.

What is the difference between "preliminary attempt" and "final attempt"?

"Preliminary attempt" refers to an initial try, often with the expectation of further refinement or iterations. In contrast, "final attempt" suggests a last or conclusive try, implying that no further attempts will be made.