strenuous attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strenuous attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant effort or exertion made to achieve something challenging. Example: "Despite the strenuous attempt to climb the mountain, the team had to turn back due to severe weather conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

During the last year, Austria has made a strenuous attempt to sort things out.

The New York Times

But sometimes the lowered head — and lowered voice and wincing expression — seemed part of a strenuous attempt to restrain a lancing anger.

The New York Times - Magazine

Of course hunks can suffer too, and while his singing is uneven, Mr. Blanchard makes a strenuous attempt to embody the tormented soul of his character, drawn to humanity but repulsive to it.

The New York Times

Former education minister David Laws's Coalition is the first memoir to emerge from around the Conservative-Lib Dem cabinet table and it's a strenuous attempt to defend both his party's record in government and his good friend Nick Clegg.

The Guardian - Books

"If the 'I-don't-mind-people-reading-Twilight-because-it-could-lead-to-higher-things' platitude continues to be trotted out, it is because despite all the blurring that has occurred over recent years, we still have no trouble recognizing the difference between the repetitive formula offering easy pleasure and the more strenuous attempt to engage with the world in new ways," Parks wrote.

The New Yorker

Long before the two crossed paths at the office, Platt, then a graduate student at Cambridge, picked up Muldoon's 1981 collection "Why Brownlee Left," choosing the poems "Cuba" and "Bran" to embark on, as he puts it, "a strenuous attempt to realize poetic detail in musical gesture, to grow decadent ivy around Paul's magnificent trellis of words".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Strenuous attempts will be undertaken to prevent tribal clashes.

Independent

Despite strenuous attempts in identification, no single causal factor stands out.

Toxicology

"Complicity in torture is bad enough without repeat and strenuous attempts to cover it up.

Independent

But, after strenuous attempts at provocation, he was underwhelmed by the contempt visited on him.

The New Yorker

Party membership is falling too, and even the most strenuous attempts to reverse the decline have faltered.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strenuous attempt" to clearly convey that a significant amount of effort and energy was invested in trying to achieve a specific goal. This phrase is effective when you want to emphasize the intensity of the effort made.

Common error

While "strenuous attempt" is appropriate for formal and professional writing, it might sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "hard try" or "major effort" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strenuous attempt" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "strenuous" modifies the noun "attempt". Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is both correct and usable in written English, as confirmed by examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strenuous attempt" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, according to Ludwig AI, that describes a situation where significant effort is expended to achieve a goal. While its usage is more common in formal contexts like news and academic writing, simpler alternatives may be preferred in casual settings. The analysis of related phrases reveals several options for expressing similar meanings with subtle differences in nuance. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate a range of contexts where this phrase is used to emphasize the intensity and dedication behind an action. Thus, a user could use alternative phrases like "arduous effort" or "vigorous effort" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strenuous endeavor

Synonymous, just replaces "attempt" with "endeavor"

arduous effort

Replaces "strenuous" with "arduous", suggesting a more challenging and difficult undertaking.

vigorous effort

Replaces "strenuous" with "vigorous", implying a more energetic and forceful approach.

intensive effort

Replaces "strenuous" with "intensive", highlighting the concentrated and focused nature of the endeavor.

determined effort

Shifts the focus to the resolve and commitment behind the effort.

concerted effort

Emphasizes the collaborative and coordinated nature of the attempt.

diligent effort

Highlights the care and persistence involved in the attempt.

laborious undertaking

Replaces both words to provide a more descriptive and vivid picture of the amount of work involved.

heroic endeavor

Implies a grand, perhaps even risky, ambition.

strenuous exercise

Uses "strenuous" to define type of exercise performed.

FAQs

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

You can use "strenuous attempt" to describe a situation where someone has tried very hard to accomplish something, for instance, "Despite a "strenuous attempt", the team failed to reach the summit."

What are some alternatives to "strenuous attempt"?

Alternatives include "arduous effort", "vigorous effort", or "intensive effort". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. For example "arduous effort" emphasizes the difficulty.

Is "strenuous attempt" formal or informal?

"Strenuous attempt" is generally considered a more formal phrase. In informal contexts, consider using alternatives like "hard try" or "major effort".

What's the difference between "strenuous attempt" and "determined effort"?

"Strenuous attempt" highlights the energy expended, while "determined effort" emphasizes the commitment and resolve behind the action. Therefore, "determined effort" focuses more on the mindset than the physicality.