prior attempts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prior attempts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to previous efforts or tries made before the current one. Example: "Despite prior attempts to resolve the issue, we still faced challenges in implementation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Only the manipulative Prior attempts to break the mould.

The Guardian - Books

Prior attempts at ovulation induction had failed for this patient.

Fertility and Sterility

Although each of the prior attempts failed, one always has to be concerned about that possibility".

The New Yorker

Musharraf spoke of two prior attempts to create a fundamentalist uprising in the Army.

The New Yorker

Prior attempts at matchmaking for Ms. Creskoff, who is two years younger, had not gone well.

The New York Times

The difference was that it kept going back, building on knowledge from prior attempts.

Harvard Business Review

Yet most prior attempts at therapeutic scar modification have failed, some catastrophically.

Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology

We also discovered that prior attempts to devise a unified set of rules have largely failed.

Harvard University

Prior attempts to legislate the problem have failed, but the complaints from viewers have kept coming.

The New York Times

In substance, the Good Friday Agreement differed little from the prior attempts at settlement.

The New York Times

In contrast to many prior attempts, it suddenly had no difficulty recreating the high sea levels of past warm periods.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a series of attempts, use "prior attempts" to clearly indicate that you are referring to efforts made before the current situation or focus. This helps to establish context and show progression.

Common error

While "prior attempts" is widely acceptable, avoid using it excessively in very informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "previous tries" or "earlier efforts" may be more appropriate for casual conversation or less formal documents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prior attempts" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence or clause. It refers to previous efforts or endeavors undertaken before the current action or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prior attempts" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that refers to previous efforts or endeavors. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability across various contexts. It is commonly found in news, science, and academic writing, serving to provide context and background. While "prior attempts" is generally appropriate, consider using simpler alternatives like "previous efforts" in more informal settings. Its high frequency and widespread usage across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Washington Post underscore its reliability and clarity in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous endeavors

Emphasizes the effort and ambition of earlier undertakings.

earlier efforts

Highlights the temporal aspect of the attempts being made before the current one.

preceding efforts

Highlights the sequence of attempts, with a focus on what came before.

past endeavors

Focuses on the completed or historical nature of the attempts.

past undertakings

Emphasizes the commitment and responsibility involved in the previous actions.

previous tries

Uses a more informal term for attempts, emphasizing the act of trying.

earlier stabs

Suggests a less precise or more exploratory approach to the attempts.

historical attempts

Suggests an investigation in what was tried in the past.

antecedent efforts

A more formal way to describe previous work done. It means existing or happening before.

initial attempts

It puts more emphasis on something at the beginning.

FAQs

How can I use "prior attempts" in a sentence?

You can use "prior attempts" to refer to earlier efforts made before a current one, like in the sentence: "Despite "prior attempts" to resolve the issue, challenges remained".

What are some alternatives to "prior attempts"?

Alternatives include "previous efforts", "earlier tries", or "past endeavors", each varying slightly in formality and emphasis.

Is it better to say "prior attempts" or "previous attempts"?

"Prior attempts" and "previous attempts" are often interchangeable, but "prior" may subtly emphasize a logical or chronological order. Both are generally correct and depend on the specific context.

What's the difference between "prior attempts" and "initial attempts"?

"Initial attempts" refers specifically to the first efforts made, while "prior attempts" includes all efforts made before the current one, not just the first. Therefore, "prior attempts" is a more encompassing term.