shoddy attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shoddy attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort that is poorly executed or of low quality. Example: "The project was a shoddy attempt at innovation, lacking any real substance or creativity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Instead, it has looked like a shoddy attempt by a weakened leader to prop up his popularity.

The Economist

Hence this shoddy attempt at raising her off the ground.

Vice

The New York Times's shoddy attempt to insinuate that Senator John McCain was entangled in an extramarital romantic relationship is -- or should be!

Huffington Post

But then he found God, changed his last name to a shoddy attempt at "Gideon," and dragged his family to the country.

Vice

This study is a shoddy attempt to do just that, and considering that the Sierra Club just marked the nation's 257th coal plant retirement, it isn't going to work.

Huffington Post

I've reeled it in in the last few years but, some days, you'll find me in the bar looking super aggro by hitting my chest, which, in reality, is a shoddy attempt to knock that pukey feeling out of my body.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

They said they had also detected shoddy attempts at repairs, like incomplete or failed welds.

The New York Times

Capello, however, has not said it was the woman, or Terry's shoddy attempts to sell his status as England's leader — or indeed a combination of the two — that led to his removal from the captaincy.

The New York Times - Sports

Don't these candidates understand that they undermine their own campaign with these shoddy attempts to fire up their own base?

Huffington Post

Likely created in 1815, this automaton has had a rough life, enduring no less than five shoddy attempts to be fixed before Parmigiani Fleurier did it properly.

Vice

After two shoddy meal attempts and five hours of imagining a stuffed-crust pizza materializing out of thin air, I hadn't eaten anything.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shoddy attempt" when you want to convey not just a failure, but also a sense of poor workmanship or planning. It's stronger than simply saying something 'failed'.

Common error

While "shoddy attempt" is acceptable in many situations, avoid it in highly formal or professional settings where more neutral language like "subpar effort" or "deficient attempt" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shoddy attempt" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "shoddy" modifies the noun "attempt". It is used to describe an action or effort that is of poor quality or badly done. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shoddy attempt" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe a poorly executed effort. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, indicating its presence in various news and media outlets. While "shoddy attempt" is a valuable descriptor, it's essential to consider the context and audience to ensure appropriateness. In formal settings, consider employing alternatives like "subpar effort" or "deficient attempt" for a more polished tone. Using the right language ensures your message is accurately conveyed, avoiding unintended negativity or informality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poor effort

This alternative is more general and lacks the critical edge of "shoddy attempt".

subpar effort

This alternative is a more formal synonym, indicating performance below an expected standard.

inferior effort

This alternative emphasizes the lower quality compared to a reference standard.

deficient attempt

This alternative highlights the inadequacy or incompleteness of the attempt.

flimsy effort

This alternative suggests a lack of substance or strength in the attempt.

half-baked attempt

This alternative implies that the attempt was not fully thought out or prepared.

botched attempt

This alternative emphasizes the failure and clumsiness of the attempt.

bungled attempt

Similar to "botched attempt", this alternative suggests incompetence in carrying out the attempt.

failed effort

This alternative focuses on the lack of success, without necessarily implying poor quality.

lousy effort

This alternative is more informal and expresses strong disapproval of the attempt's quality.

FAQs

What does "shoddy attempt" mean?

A "shoddy attempt" describes an effort that is poorly executed, of low quality, or demonstrates a lack of care and attention to detail.

What can I say instead of "shoddy attempt"?

You can use alternatives like "poor effort", "subpar effort", or "inferior effort", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "shoddy attempt" a formal phrase?

No, "shoddy attempt" is not particularly formal. It's best suited for general or informal contexts. In more formal situations, consider alternatives such as "deficient attempt" or "subpar effort".

How to use "shoddy attempt" in a sentence?

You can use "shoddy attempt" to criticize the quality of something. For example: "The presentation was a "shoddy attempt" at explaining the complex topic", meaning the presentation was poorly done.