repeated attempts

USAGE SUMMARY

"repeated attempts" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone has tried to do something multiple times and has not yet been successful. For example: "Despite his repeated attempts, John could not solve the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Repeated attempts by Facebook's C.E.O.

The New Yorker

Repeated attempts at mediation have failed.

The Guardian

Repeated attempts at restructuring have been unsuccessful.

The New York Times

Repeated attempts at reconciliation have failed.

The Guardian

"Repeated attempts to gain information have proved fruitless.

The Guardian - Business

(Repeated attempts to contact the journal went unanswered).

The New Yorker

From there they rebuffed repeated attempts to dislodge them.

The New York Times

But despite repeated attempts, a coalition was not formed.

The Guardian

Repeated attempts to reach Smith-Craft officials were unsuccessful.

The New York Times

Repeated attempts to mollify the others met a lukewarm reception.

The New York Times

Repeated attempts to reach Miss Matonti by telephone were unavailing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "repeated attempts" to emphasize persistence or the difficulty of a task. It can highlight the effort involved in overcoming challenges.

Common error

Avoid using "repeated attempts" too frequently within the same paragraph or section. This can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "repeated attempts" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "repeated" modifies the noun "attempts". According to Ludwig, it describes multiple efforts or trials undertaken to achieve a specific goal. This is seen in examples where "repeated attempts" lead to failure or require troubleshooting.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "repeated attempts" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe multiple efforts to achieve a goal. As Ludwig indicates, it emphasizes the process of trying something multiple times and is suitable for various contexts, maintaining a neutral tone. While the phrase is versatile, avoid overuse in close proximity to maintain writing clarity and engagement. Considering alternatives like "multiple tries" or "numerous efforts" can add nuance to your writing. Understanding these aspects allows for effective and precise communication when using "repeated attempts".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

multiple tries

Focuses on the number of attempts rather than their nature.

numerous efforts

Emphasizes the amount of work put into the attempts.

persistent endeavors

Highlights the determination and sustained effort involved.

continued striving

Suggests an ongoing process of trying to achieve a goal.

relentless pursuit

Implies a strong and unwavering focus on achieving something.

successive actions

Focuses on the sequence of actions taken.

frequent endeavors

Highlights the high frequency of the attempts made.

iterative processes

Describes a cyclical approach with repeated steps.

regular initiatives

Suggests a structured and planned series of attempts.

several undertakings

Indicates a number of attempts without necessarily implying failure.

FAQs

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

You can use "repeated attempts" to describe a situation where someone has tried multiple times to achieve something. For example, "Despite "repeated attempts", he couldn't open the locked door".

What are some alternatives to "repeated attempts"?

Alternatives to "repeated attempts" include "multiple tries", "numerous efforts", or "persistent endeavors". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "repeated attempts" or "continuous attempts"?

"Repeated attempts" emphasizes that there were individual instances, while "continuous attempts" suggests an ongoing, unbroken effort. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the distinctness or the continuity of the efforts.

What's the difference between "repeated attempts" and "failed attempts"?

"Repeated attempts" simply indicates multiple tries, without specifying the outcome. "Failed attempts", on the other hand, explicitly states that the tries were unsuccessful. You can use "repeated attempts" even if eventual success is implied or stated later, but "failed attempts" implies no success.