rough attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

"rough attempt" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when you want to emphasize that something was done without much care or thought. For example, "My paper was just a rough attempt to answer the question."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

does serve as at least a rough attempt to put the decision as to whether review will be sought in the hands of those who have a direct stake in the outcome.

Cornell University

After all, even aside from the dependence of IS-LM analysis on the ad hoc assumption of price inflexibility, that analysis is at best a very rough attempt to squeeze fundamentally intertemporal issues like saving and investment into a static framework (a point which, incidentally, Hicks noted right at the beginning).

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Amartya Sen (1980) mentioned the term 'basic capability' as his first rough attempt to answer the 'equality of what?' question, but changed his terminology in subsequent work (what he called 'basic capability' would later become 'capability'capability

SEP

A rough attempt was made to make a judgment of the dogs' quality of life through a few owner questions.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Monmouth capsized at 21 58, taking her entire crew of 735 men with her as the seas were too rough to attempt any rescue effort.

Wikipedia

The House of Lords has already cut up rough over attempts to remove the "green mandate" on the bank when a cross-party group of peers backed an amendment by 258 votes to 212 demanding that a privatised bank only be allowed to invest in low-carbon schemes.

The Guardian

The non-canonical texts that Landau studies, then, are those rough first attempts by lone writers, tapping their plot points away in obscurity.

Vice

For more strenuous walking, attempt Rough Tor on Bodmin Moor - Cornwall's second-highest point.

The Guardian - Travel

Mr. Spira concedes that the $650 billion figure is a rough estimate — an attempt to attach a number to a big problem.

The New York Times

Among them was comedian Mark Thomas, who attacked the coalition government's introduction of the Public Space Protection Order PSPOO) which allows councils to make illegal activities such as sleeping rough in an attempt to drive homeless people from town or city centres.

The Guardian

Attribute reduction with variable precision rough sets (VPRS) attempts to select the most information-rich attributes from a dataset by incorporating a controlled degree of misclassification into approximations of rough sets.

Applied Soft Computing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rough attempt", ensure the context clearly indicates the expectation of imperfection or that the effort is preliminary. This helps manage expectations and provides appropriate context.

Common error

Avoid using "rough attempt" when the situation calls for a more polished or refined outcome. Using it inappropriately can undermine the seriousness or importance of the task.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rough attempt" functions as a qualifier, describing the nature of an effort or action. It indicates that the attempt was preliminary, imperfect, or lacking in refinement. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rough attempt" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an initial or imperfect effort. Although Ludwig identifies it as a correct phrase, the examples are rare, suggesting it is not a highly common expression. It serves to qualify actions, indicating they are preliminary or lacking refinement. While versatile across contexts like academia, science and news, careful consideration is needed to ensure it aligns with the intended formality and the expectations of the situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase sets realistic expectations about the outcome of an endeavor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary effort

Emphasizes the initial and preparatory nature of the attempt.

initial endeavor

Highlights the starting point and the ambitious nature of the attempt.

early try

Focuses on the temporal aspect, indicating it's one of the first attempts.

imperfect effort

Stresses the lack of perfection or completeness in the attempt.

basic shot

Suggests a fundamental or rudimentary attempt.

sketchy effort

Implies an incomplete or hastily done attempt.

crude stab

Conveys a raw and unrefined attempt.

tentative approach

Underscores the cautious and experimental nature of the attempt.

raw effort

Highlights the unpolished and undeveloped aspect of the attempt.

makeshift endeavor

Emphasizes the improvised and temporary nature of the attempt.

FAQs

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

You can use "rough attempt" to describe something done quickly or without much precision, for example, "My first draft was just a "rough attempt" to outline the main ideas".

What can I say instead of "rough attempt"?

You can use alternatives like "preliminary effort", "initial endeavor", or "early try" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "rough attempt"?

It is appropriate when acknowledging that the effort was not perfect or complete, and further refinement is expected. It sets realistic expectations for the outcome.

What is the difference between "rough attempt" and "perfect attempt"?

"Rough attempt" implies a preliminary or imperfect effort, while "perfect attempt" suggests a flawless or highly successful effort. The choice depends on the actual outcome and the intention of the statement.