respectable attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "respectable attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to acknowledge someone's effort in trying to achieve something, often implying that the effort is commendable even if the outcome is not perfect. Example: "Although the project didn't meet all the goals, it was a respectable attempt given the limited resources available."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He had one great suicidal scene as a cop in The New Centurions (1972); he was amusing in Oklahoma Crude (1973), a modern Western about oil; he talked credibly to dolphins in The Day of the Dolphin (1973); and he made a respectable attempt at being Hemingway in Schaffner's movie Islands in the Stream (1977).

The Guardian

The reviewer admitted, however, that the game's "respectable attempt to preserve John Williams' musical score" was one of its only highlights.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The ARWU is generally considered one of the more respectable attempts to measure quality and is widely recognized.

Plosone

I mean, it was no Dennis Wideman hurdy-gurdy, mid-air fail – it was a respectable enough attempt – but it was a key moment, one that ended up being a turning point anyway, just for the other team.

The Guardian - Sport

In fact, there is a long and respectable history of attempts to curb courts that run wild: Thomas Jefferson tried impeachment of the Supreme Court justices, but his first attempt narrowly failed in the Senate.

The New York Times

The star, though, was a dish that every respectable Chengdu restaurant attempts: wood ear mushrooms, somehow rendered both soft and crispy, tossed with sesame oil, vinegar and fresh cilantro.

The New York Times - Travel

But this has only infuriated its critics, who believe the prize is a not-too-subtle attempt to inveigle respectable scientists into the sphere of religion.

Independent

The far-right's attempt to look respectable so that they could win elections was coming undone.

Vice

The far-right's attempt to look respectable so that they could win elections was coming unstuck.

Vice

Before they began their partnership that year, Williams had won 41 titles, 13 of them majors in 47 attempts, a perfectly respectable dividend of 27.7%.

The Guardian - Sport

Our initial attempts gave a respectable recovery of the spiked drug at ca. 60 %.

Chemistry Central Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "respectable attempt" when you want to acknowledge effort while acknowledging potential imperfections in the outcome. It strikes a balance between praise and realism.

Common error

Avoid using "respectable attempt" if the endeavor was clearly a failure or lacked genuine effort. Choose a more critical or neutral description instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "respectable attempt" functions primarily as an adjective-noun combination. The adjective "respectable" modifies the noun "attempt", indicating a praiseworthy or considerable effort. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "respectable attempt" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that serves to acknowledge effort, particularly when the outcome isn't entirely successful. While relatively rare in occurrence, it finds its primary contexts in news, media, and scientific domains. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid and effective for conveying a balanced assessment of an endeavor. Its function is to validate effort, its purpose to acknowledge a considerable effort, and its register is neutral. Consider "creditable effort" as a possible alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

creditable effort

Emphasizes the praiseworthiness of the effort, focusing on its deservingness of recognition.

commendable try

Highlights the positive aspects of the attempt, suggesting it is worthy of praise despite the outcome.

admirable endeavor

Implies a more significant and ambitious undertaking, worthy of admiration.

decent shot

Suggests a reasonable chance of success and a satisfactory level of effort.

noteworthy effort

Focuses on the fact that the attempt is worthy of attention and consideration.

reasonable endeavor

Indicates that the attempt was logical and sensible, even if it didn't fully succeed.

solid effort

Suggests a strong and reliable attempt, implying a good foundation.

laudable try

Emphasizes the praiseworthiness of the attempt, suggesting it is deserving of acclamation.

fair attempt

Indicates that the attempt was just and equitable, without any undue advantage or disadvantage.

considerable effort

Implies that a significant amount of energy and resources were invested in the attempt.

FAQs

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

Use "respectable attempt" to describe an effort that is worthy of acknowledgement, even if it didn't fully achieve its goal. For example, "Although the experiment failed to prove the hypothesis, it was a "respectable attempt" to explore a new approach".

What are some alternatives to "respectable attempt"?

You can use alternatives such as "creditable effort", "commendable try", or "admirable endeavor" depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "respectable attempt" always a positive description?

While generally positive, "respectable attempt" acknowledges that the effort may not have been entirely successful. It implies a degree of merit but also recognizes limitations or shortcomings.

What's the difference between "respectable attempt" and "successful attempt"?

"Respectable attempt" implies effort and worthiness, even without complete success. "Successful attempt", on the other hand, indicates that the goal was achieved. The former is used when acknowledging effort despite incomplete results, while the latter is used when the objective was met.