several attempts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "several attempts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe multiple efforts made to achieve a particular goal or task. Example: "After several attempts to fix the issue, we finally found a solution that worked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was the first of several attempts.

The New York Times

Brazil has had several attempts at reform.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After several attempts she gets through.

The New Yorker

Several attempts to interview him by telephone were unsuccessful.

The New York Times

She has also made several attempts at fiction.

The Guardian - Books

After several attempts to see him, she succeeds.

The New Yorker

After several attempts at men's colognes, Brut achieved international success.

The New York Times

They also blocked several attempts to toughen accounting standards.

The New York Times

"Most market bottoms require several attempts," she said.

The New York Times

There were several attempts to ban the play altogether.

The Guardian

Several attempts to reach Mr. Go were not successful.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "several attempts", consider adding words of manner or degree, for example: "several unsuccessful attempts", "several serious attempts".

Common error

Avoid using "several attempts" when only two or three attempts were made. "Several" implies more than a couple, so ensure the number of attempts justifies the descriptor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several attempts" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a verb. It signifies a quantity of efforts made toward a specific goal. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "several attempts" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, denoting multiple efforts to achieve a goal. As Ludwig confirms, it’s appropriate in various contexts, from news reports to scientific papers. While the phrase itself is straightforward, effective usage involves clearly specifying what was attempted. Alternatives such as "multiple tries" or "numerous efforts" can provide subtle shifts in emphasis. Remembering not to overstate the number of attempts ensures precision and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

multiple tries

Emphasizes the act of trying repeatedly, differing from "several attempts" in its more informal tone.

numerous efforts

Highlights the energy and resources invested, suggesting more formal and significant undertakings than "several attempts".

repeated endeavors

Implies a series of planned actions, more formal and intentional than "several attempts".

various efforts

Stresses the diversity of approaches used, unlike "several attempts" which focuses on the quantity of tries.

many endeavors

Highlights the ambition of the actions taken, more business-oriented than "several attempts".

multiple stabs

Suggests a less precise or skilled approach, implying a trial-and-error method unlike "several attempts".

a few tries

Indicates a smaller number of attempts, contrasting with "several attempts" which implies more than just a few.

numerous goes

Is an informal expression that means many tries, more colloquial than "several attempts".

countless tries

Indicates that it is no longer possible to count all the attempts, more emphatic than "several attempts".

different tries

Indicates the actions are done by various people, unlike "several attempts" which focuses on quantity.

FAQs

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

You can use "several attempts" to describe repeated efforts to achieve something, for example: "After several attempts, she finally succeeded" or "The project failed despite several attempts to revive it".

What phrases are similar to "several attempts"?

Similar phrases include "multiple tries", "numerous efforts", and "repeated endeavors", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is it better to say "several attempts" or "many attempts"?

Both "several attempts" and "many attempts" are correct, but "several" suggests a smaller, more specific number than "many". The best choice depends on the context and the desired level of precision.

What's the difference between "several attempts" and "successive attempts"?

"Several attempts" simply indicates multiple tries, while "successive attempts" emphasizes that the tries followed one another without interruption.