sorry attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sorry attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe an attempt that was unsuccessful or not up to a desired standard. For example: "My cake turned out to be a sorry attempt at baking, with a burnt top and a gooey centre."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"Because it would be a sorry attempt at commercial suicide.

The Guardian - Music

He had Sean Lamont charging towards him but that did not explain a sorry attempt at a catch that saw the ball fall loose and Hogg beat his opposite number Dulin to the touchdown.

The Guardian - Sport

E-mail address GO SIGN UP Share Tweet Rodriguez's name is, of course, the one that stands out, along with the nickname he was allegedly given by the clinic's owner in a sorry attempt at misdirection: Cacique, which is a pre-Columbian Caribbean word which roughly translates to "chief".

The New Yorker

Rodriguez's name is, of course, the one that stands out, along with the nickname he was allegedly given by the clinic's owner in a sorry attempt at misdirection: Cacique, which is a pre-Columbian Caribbean word which roughly translates to "chief".

The New Yorker

This is just a friendly reminder that Apple is now accepting orders for its non-multitasking, closed OS-equipped, non-SD card slot-sporting, overpriced, sorry attempt at a tablet.

TechCrunch

After a sorry attempt to introduce and humanize the main characters, all SEALs -- they cannot act, and so become indistinguishable from one another -- AOV gets down to its cinematic business: serving up hot and riveting combat spectacle.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

You can email me at [email protected] at cheavyout my blog at TeleworkExchittercom/Work.

Huffington Post

In fact, most of Ms Homes's characters appear unable to communicate with one another on even the most primitive pass-the-salt level, and the recognisable realism of their sorry attempts is sobering.In this section America's Shelley A blessed band Sir Walter Mitty Hells bells Funny girls The one hundred days of Mr Right Reprints"Georgica" is as close as Ms Homes gets to romantic.

The Economist

P.M.S.: Sorry, sorry, sorry!

The New Yorker

Sorry, sorry, sorry.

The New Yorker

As for teri 6ie6er, I'm really sorry that her attempt at getting turnt like it's 1995 didn't work out so well.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sorry attempt" to express disappointment or criticism towards an action or effort that has failed to meet expectations. It is often used to add a mildly sarcastic or humorous tone.

Common error

Avoid using "sorry attempt" in highly formal or professional documents, as it can come across as overly critical or sarcastic. Opt for more neutral terms like "unsuccessful attempt" or "failed endeavor" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sorry attempt" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It describes an action or endeavor that is considered inadequate or unsuccessful. As evidenced by Ludwig, it commonly precedes the noun it modifies, such as in "a sorry attempt at commercial suicide."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

8%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sorry attempt" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes an action or endeavor that is considered inadequate or unsuccessful. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s often employed to express disapproval, disappointment, or mild sarcasm regarding a failed effort. It is most commonly found in News & Media contexts, indicating a neutral register. While not extremely common, it's a useful phrase for conveying a critical assessment, and Ludwig provides several examples demonstrating its usage in various scenarios. When writing, be mindful of the tone and avoid overusing it in formal settings where more neutral language might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poor effort

This phrase replaces "sorry" with "poor", emphasizing the low quality of the effort.

failed endeavor

This alternative uses "endeavor" to replace attempt, which is more formal and highlights the failure aspect.

weak effort

This phrase describes the attempt as "weak", indicating a lack of strength or effectiveness.

lame attempt

This option uses "lame" to describe the attempt, suggesting it's unconvincing or inadequate.

pathetic effort

This option employs "pathetic" to convey a sense of inadequacy and disappointment.

unsuccessful try

This phrase indicates the attempt did not achieve its intended outcome.

botched attempt

This implies the attempt was poorly executed and resulted in a negative outcome.

miserable failure

This phrase intensifies the sense of failure by using "miserable".

woeful try

This option uses "woeful" suggesting a very regrettable or bad attempt.

feeble effort

This uses "feeble" to suggest that the effort was weak and ineffective.

FAQs

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

You can use "sorry attempt" to describe something that failed to meet expectations, like "His presentation was a "sorry attempt" at humor." or "The cake turned out to be a "sorry attempt" at baking".

What's a more formal way to say "sorry attempt"?

For more formal situations, consider using phrases such as "unsuccessful attempt", "failed endeavor", or "poorly executed effort" instead of "sorry attempt".

Is "sorry attempt" considered polite?

While grammatically correct, "sorry attempt" can come across as critical or sarcastic. Consider the context and audience before using it, and opt for more neutral language if politeness is a priority.

What are some synonyms for "sorry attempt"?

Some synonyms for "sorry attempt" include "poor effort", "lame attempt", or "pathetic effort", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.