scant attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scant attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort that is minimal or insufficient in some way. Example: "His scant attempt to fix the issue only made things worse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

After a while, one gives up on the scant attempts of the piece to be hip, a lame "friends of Dorothy" joke included, and begins ticking off stops on the Yellow Brick Road, as our motley quartet sets off to meet the bluff-and-bluster Wizard.

The New York Times - Arts

Unfortunately there have been scant attempts to report on the last two.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Evidence of the progressive feminisation of migration from Moldova and Georgia is relatively scant, as few attempts have been made to explicitly map changes to the composition of emigration flows.

Comparative Migration Studies

Given the scant prospects that any attempt to restructure the opposition will succeed — the last such meeting in Cairo in June ended in shouting and fistfights — senior opposition figures tried to smooth over any differences in their initial remarks.

The New York Times

4. Ken Strong, 1934 Giants: Kicking statistics from the 1930s are scant (lengths and missed attempts are rarely available), and most teams used several different position players as kickers.

The New York Times

Although the importance of teaching creativity in higher education has been widely recognized, empirical research addressing the success of such attempts, has been scant.

Thinking Skills and Creativity

And the liberal media refused to conspire (finally!) with Big Science's attempted whitewash: There was scant coverage of the four "independent" investigations which, all-too-conveniently and coincidentally, cleared the scientists of misconduct and reconfirmed the global warming fallacy.

Huffington Post

The data published on suicide attempts in Spain are scant [ 4, 5], and no data are available on patients admitted to General Hospitals in our public healthcare setting after a suicide attempt.

BMC Psychiatry

These are well above average EU figures, but still far below those for younger people.As for the direct gains or costs to employers, a 50-page study with the green paper attempts to supply figures, with scant success.

The Economist

But even those federal employees have found scant protection under the Obama administration in their attempt to blow the whistle on national security practices.

Huffington Post

The 29-year-old Mississipian launched past seven meters on her third attempt and fouled again, this time by a scant 2cm, but was safely in fifth as the field winnowed.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scant attempt" when you want to emphasize the inadequacy or insufficiency of an effort made. This conveys a sense of something being barely sufficient or noticeably lacking.

Common error

Avoid using "scant attempt" when the effort was genuinely significant, even if it failed. "Scant" implies a noticeable lack, so ensure the effort truly warrants this description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scant attempt" functions as an adjective-noun combination where the adjective "scant" modifies the noun "attempt". It describes an effort that is minimal or insufficient. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scant attempt" is a grammatically correct adjective-noun combination used to describe an effort that is minimal or inadequate. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While suitable for various contexts, it commonly appears in news, media, science, and professional writing. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure that the context accurately reflects the insufficient nature of the effort being described to avoid overstating its inadequacy. Alternatives such as "meager effort" or "slight effort" may be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meager effort

Emphasizes the small quantity or poor quality of the effort.

slight effort

Focuses on the small degree of exertion.

minimal endeavor

Highlights the least possible amount of effort applied.

limited try

Indicates a restriction on the extent of the attempt.

token gesture

Suggests an action done only for appearances, lacking real commitment.

half-hearted effort

Implies a lack of enthusiasm or sincerity in the attempt.

feeble effort

Emphasizes the weakness or ineffectiveness of the effort.

perfunctory attempt

Highlights the routine or superficial nature of the attempt.

inadequate effort

Focuses on the insufficiency of the effort to achieve the desired outcome.

deficient attempt

Indicates that the attempt is lacking essential qualities or elements.

FAQs

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

You can use "scant attempt" to describe an effort that is minimal or insufficient. For example, "His "scant attempt" to fix the issue only made things worse."

What are some alternatives to "scant attempt"?

You can use alternatives like "meager effort", "slight effort", or "minimal endeavor" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "scant attempt" a formal or informal expression?

"Scant attempt" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more commonly found in written communication. It carries a slightly negative connotation, highlighting the inadequacy of the effort.

What does "scant" mean in the context of "scant attempt"?

In this context, "scant" means barely sufficient or inadequate. It emphasizes that the attempt was lacking in some essential quality or amount.