previous attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

"previous attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an effort made at something before the present one. For example, "She was much more successful in her second attempt at resolving the issue, having learned from her previous attempt".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

This is almost certainly what lay behind their previous attempt to politicise the inspectorate".

The Guardian

A previous attempt, in 2004, failed.

The Economist

A previous attempt to renegotiate the treaty stalled.

The Guardian

In 1996 a previous attempt to enter a team in the competition ended in failure.

The Guardian - Sport

A previous attempt at a fourth movie was briefly in development in 2008.

The Guardian - Film

There had been one previous attempt, by her brothel-owner's lawyer of all people.

The New York Times

"It goes even beyond the extraordinary limits of the court's previous attempt to abrogate Florida law.

The New York Times

Its previous attempt ended in 2010 when Dansk sold its 200 UK outlets to Asda.

The Guardian - Business

It abandoned a previous attempt in 2004 when it failed to garner sufficient support.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

There had been a previous attempt at offering the premier an official residence.

Wikipedia

A previous attempt has been made to extract rPrP from mte using electrophoretic methods [42].

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "previous attempt", ensure the context clearly indicates what was being attempted and why the speaker is referencing it.

Common error

Avoid using "previous attempt" without specifying what the attempt was related to. Clarity is crucial for effective communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous attempt" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to a prior effort or trial.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previous attempt" is a commonly used noun phrase to refer to a prior effort or trial. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and widely applicable in various contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When employing this phrase, it's best practice to clearly specify the context of the attempt to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "prior effort" or "earlier try" can be used for variety. In summary, "previous attempt" is a reliable and versatile phrase for referencing past endeavors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior effort

Replaces "attempt" with "effort", emphasizing exertion of energy.

former effort

Replaces "previous" with "former", maintaining a similar meaning.

preceding effort

Uses "preceding" to indicate the attempt that came before.

earlier try

Uses "try" instead of "attempt", creating a more informal tone.

past endeavor

Substitutes "attempt" with "endeavor", suggesting a more ambitious undertaking.

initial effort

Focuses on the first attempt, specifically.

first try

A more casual way of saying the initial attempt.

unsuccessful effort

Emphasizes the lack of success in the prior effort.

failed attempt

Highlights the lack of success of the previous attempt.

abortive attempt

Suggests the attempt was cut short or failed to fully materialize.

FAQs

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

You can use "previous attempt" to refer to an earlier effort to achieve something. For instance, "This strategy builds upon lessons learned from the "earlier attempt" to implement the same policy".

What's a more formal way to say "previous attempt"?

A more formal alternative could be "prior endeavor" or "former effort", depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify what the "previous attempt" was for?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the goal of the "previous attempt" enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity.

What are some phrases similar to "previous attempt" that I can use to avoid repetition?

You can use phrases like "earlier try", "past effort", or "initial attempt" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.