reasonable attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonable attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort that is sensible and appropriate under the circumstances. Example: "The committee made a reasonable attempt to address the concerns raised by the community during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

By this standard, lenders must go beyond disclosure to meet what former Treasury official Michael Barr calls an "objective reasonableness" test, making a reasonable attempt at helping borrowers understand risks and rewards of taking out high-interest rate loans before closing.

Huffington Post

But provided you are making a reasonable attempt to return the device, I see no reason why you couldn't contact a friend who might be interested in the device.

TechCrunch

And what we see there is hopefully a reasonable attempt to compensate for the cloud cover.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

At the time, it looked like a reasonable attempt to help a unique charity survive.

The Guardian - Opinion

Still, the Crosspad is a reasonable attempt at freeing users from the tyranny of the keyboard.

The New York Times - Science

In other words, free online episodes are a reasonable attempt by the TV networks to avoid being swamped by the Internet.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Suddenly, even reasonable attempts to protect some public good become full-blown assaults on individual rights.

The Washington Post

"Collective-bargaining negotiations should involve reasonable attempts by both parties to find middle ground," Saskin said.

The New York Times - Sports

"That sacrifice is only necessary because their union leadership has rejected all other reasonable attempts at compromise".

The New York Times

To attract tourists, these towns make all reasonable attempts to preserve their coastline and even extend it.

The New York Times

Immigration officials only contact the NHS when other reasonable attempts to locate people have been unsuccessful," they added.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reasonable attempt", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates the criteria or standards by which the attempt is being judged as reasonable. Providing specific details about the effort made can strengthen your argument or description.

Common error

Avoid using "reasonable attempt" to excuse a poorly executed or clearly inadequate effort. The term implies a genuine and justifiable level of effort, so ensure that the attempt truly meets a standard of 'reasonableness' before using the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonable attempt" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an action or endeavor undertaken with a degree of justification and sound judgment. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reasonable attempt" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that describes an effort considered justifiable and adequate in a given context. As indicated by Ludwig, it appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Academia sources, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the criteria used to evaluate the attempt's reasonableness. Consider alternatives like "justifiable effort" or "sensible endeavor" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sensible endeavor

Replaces "attempt" with "endeavor", suggesting a more committed or purposeful effort while retaining the aspect of reasonableness.

justifiable effort

Substitutes "reasonable" with "justifiable", emphasizing the defensibility or legitimacy of the effort.

adequate try

Replaces "attempt" with "try", conveying a simpler and less formal sense of effort while keeping the focus on adequacy.

plausible endeavor

Uses "plausible" instead of "reasonable", highlighting the credibility or believability of the attempt.

credible effort

Emphasizes the trustworthiness or reliability of the effort made.

sound undertaking

Uses "undertaking" to imply a more serious or significant effort, while "sound" reinforces the idea of it being well-founded or logical.

fair shot

Offers an idiomatic alternative, suggesting a genuine opportunity or effort was given.

rational approach

Shifts the focus to the method or strategy used, suggesting it was logical and well-considered.

logical initiative

Highlights the planned or proactive nature of the attempt, emphasizing its rationality.

suitable measure

Focuses on the appropriateness of the action taken, suggesting it was a fitting response or effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "reasonable attempt" to describe an action or effort that is considered fair, logical, and appropriate under the circumstances. For example: "The company made a reasonable attempt to resolve the customer's complaint".

What's a more formal alternative to "reasonable attempt"?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "justifiable effort" or "sensible endeavor", which convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Is "reasonable attempt" subjective, and how can I make it more objective?

While "reasonable attempt" can be somewhat subjective, you can make it more objective by specifying the criteria used to evaluate the attempt. For example, "The team made a reasonable attempt, following industry best practices and documented procedures".

What's the difference between "reasonable attempt" and "best effort"?

"Reasonable attempt" implies an effort that meets a certain standard of logic and fairness, while "best effort" suggests that someone has tried as hard as possible, regardless of the outcome or whether the approach was the most logical.