sincere attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sincere attempt" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to emphasize the effort you are making or the effort someone else is making. For example, "I can assure you of our team's sincere attempt to come up with an effective solution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

For this reason, Haidt enjoins liberals to make a sincere attempt to listen to conservatives and appreciate sincerely the values they hold dear, and even more, to see that that they are generally necessary for any society to hang together.

Huffington Post

Where we come from, calling someone "ma'am" is a sincere attempt at courtesy.

The New York Times

Cheerless and voyeuristic, "Clip" (which was banned in Russia) seems a sincere attempt to portray a lost and disaffected generation.

The New York Times

But hedging without a sincere attempt to open up a dialogue risks feeding China's resentment and transforming competition into conflict.

The New York Times

But since then there has been a sincere attempt by Obama and the Government to develop a clear strategy.

Independent

Some supporters say the move signals a sincere attempt by Bishop Murphy to reform the process and start anew.

The New York Times

"Over several weeks we conducted a sincere attempt to come to terms with Mary, Mr. Fogell said.

The New York Times - Arts

At the very least, Ross's fragmented camera work doesn't seem cynical; it comes off as a sincere attempt to create an experience that's distinctively cinematic, distinctively visual.

The New Yorker

He said that 180 garlic pickers had been evacuated in a sincere attempt to avoid killing civilians and that 18 militants had been killed in the attack.

The New York Times

Such negative evaluations, if joined with a sincere attempt to follow Heidegger's own path through his writings, would not be incompatible with his thought.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It would be a hard-hearted critic who dismisses another writer's sincere attempt at midlife self-examination, or his efforts at moral and ethical improvement.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sincere attempt" to convey the genuine nature of an effort, especially when addressing concerns about its validity or potential success.

Common error

While "sincere attempt" is suitable for many situations, overuse can diminish its impact. Opt for more specific and descriptive language to accurately reflect the nature and intensity of the effort. For example, in a business proposal, instead of saying, "We made a sincere attempt to reduce costs", say, "We rigorously analyzed our budget and implemented strategies to cut costs by 15%"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sincere attempt" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "sincere" modifies the noun "attempt". It's used to describe an effort that is genuine and honest, as affirmed by Ludwig. It suggests the action was taken with good faith.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sincere attempt" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a genuine and honest effort. As confirmed by Ludwig, it’s suitable for emphasizing the good faith behind an action. It appears most frequently in news and media, scientific writing, and encyclopedia entries, suggesting a neutral register. While alternatives like "genuine effort" or "earnest endeavor" exist, "sincere attempt" is a versatile and readily understood expression. Just remember to avoid overuse in very formal writing to maintain impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuine effort

Focuses on the authenticity and honesty of the endeavor.

real effort

Highlights the tangibility and genuineness of the endeavor.

earnest endeavor

Highlights the seriousness and determination behind the attempt.

serious endeavor

Highlights the gravity and importance attributed to the attempt.

conscientious attempt

Emphasizes the dedication and moral consideration involved in the effort.

wholehearted effort

Highlights the complete and enthusiastic dedication to the attempt.

good-faith effort

Stresses the honesty and lack of deception in the attempt.

bona fide attempt

Emphasizes the authenticity and legitimacy of the attempt, often in legal or formal contexts.

diligent effort

Stresses the care and persistent hard work put into the attempt.

determined effort

Focuses on the resolve and persistence in trying to achieve something.

FAQs

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

You can use "sincere attempt" to describe an action taken with genuine intention. For example, "The company made a "sincere attempt" to address the environmental concerns raised by the community."

What are some alternatives to "sincere attempt"?

You can use alternatives like "genuine effort", "earnest endeavor", or "conscientious attempt" to convey a similar meaning.

Which is correct, "sincere attempt" or "sincerely attempt"?

"Sincere attempt" is correct as it uses the adjective "sincere" to describe the noun "attempt". "Sincerely attempt" is grammatically incorrect because "sincerely" is an adverb and doesn't fit this context.

What is the difference between "sincere attempt" and "well-intentioned effort"?

"Sincere attempt" emphasizes the genuine nature of the effort, while "well-intentioned effort" focuses on the positive intentions behind the effort. Although they're close in meaning, "well-intentioned effort" doesn't guarantee that the effort was effective.