stupid attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stupid attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort or endeavor that is perceived as foolish or lacking in intelligence. Example: "His stupid attempt to fix the car without any tools only made the problem worse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"These 'smart' sanctions are nothing but a desperate and stupid attempt to exit the dead-end road reached by American and British policies against Iraq," it said.

The New York Times

We will remember the courage of Chelsea's 10 men — after their captain, John Terry, got himself red-carded for a sneaky, stupid attempt to knee his opponent in the thigh from behind.

The New York Times - Sports

In fact he stacks the deck with them: the narrator's mother dead by suicide, his wife dead at the hands of a burglar and — in the chilling, riveting, heartbreaking scene that opens the novel — his son, Reuben, dead by a stupid attempt to curry favor with bullying peers.

The New York Times - Books

But I said: 'I have ethical, legal and moral responsibilities here.'" Cayley adds: "If this had been a domestic prosecution, there would have to have been a public inquiry". Indeed, a former Director of Public Prosecutions, Lord Madonald of River Glaven QC, said yesterday: "This prosecution was a stupid attempt to equate resistance with aggression.

The Guardian

It was a stupid attempt at humor that backfired.

Huffington Post

I have traced my initial trauma to a valiantly stupid attempt to impress my classmates in high school gym class.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

– but I feel stupid attempting to ask a woman on a SlutWalk who wants to reclaim the word slut how she feels when she is actually called a slut.

The Guardian

We have disdainfully rejected the gift of the Mother Earth's bounty freely given and have, instead, overstepped the imperative of our species in our clumsy, stupid attempts to control Nature and deny Her power.

Huffington Post

Her latest book, "Let's Be Less Stupid: An Attempt to Maintain My Mental Faculties," was published in July , 2015

The New Yorker

Then I go to the desk and do what all writers do: get stupid, and attempt to transcribe those brilliant radio transmissions they received at one point but now can barely remember.

The New Yorker

Those unable to establish their 'patriotic credentials,' to THE COMMITTEE, would find their lives destroyed, (much like McCarthy's victims some 50 years ago), all in a stupid, myopic attempt to protect US from THEM.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stupid attempt", ensure the context clearly indicates why the attempt is considered unintelligent or poorly thought out. Providing specific reasons strengthens the impact of the criticism.

Common error

Avoid labeling an action as a "stupid attempt" without providing a clear explanation of its flaws. Simply stating that something is stupid weakens your argument. Always back up your assessment with specific reasoning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stupid attempt" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "stupid" modifies the noun "attempt". It describes an action or endeavor characterized by a lack of intelligence or sound judgment. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is indeed usable and relatively common in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stupid attempt" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes an action or endeavor perceived as lacking intelligence or sound judgment. According to Ludwig, the phrase is accurate and appropriate for use. While "stupid attempt" is considered correct, it's important to choose alternative expressions like "foolish endeavor" or "ill-advised effort", especially in more formal writing. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foolish endeavor

Replaces "attempt" with a more formal synonym and "stupid" with a synonym emphasizing lack of wisdom.

ill-advised effort

Highlights the poor judgment behind the effort, rather than its intellectual merit.

inane undertaking

Emphasizes the silliness and lack of purpose in the endeavor.

brainless scheme

Suggests a plan that is not well thought out.

idiotic move

Implies that the action was particularly unintelligent and poorly considered.

senseless act

Focuses on the lack of reason or purpose behind the action.

harebrained idea

Conveys the notion of a reckless or impractical concept.

absurd endeavor

Emphasizes the ridiculous or unreasonable nature of the undertaking.

futile effort

Highlights the pointlessness and lack of success associated with the attempt.

unwise measure

Underlines the lack of good sense or judgment in the action taken.

FAQs

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

You can use "stupid attempt" to describe an action or endeavor perceived as foolish or lacking intelligence. For example, "His stupid attempt to fix the car without any tools only made the problem worse."

What can I say instead of "stupid attempt"?

Alternatives include "foolish endeavor", "ill-advised effort", or "inane undertaking", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "stupid attempt" too harsh for formal writing?

While "stupid attempt" is generally understood, it can come across as informal and critical. Consider using alternatives like "ill-advised effort" or "unwise measure" in more formal contexts to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "stupid attempt" and "futile effort"?

"Stupid attempt" focuses on the lack of intelligence or good judgment in the undertaking, while "futile effort" emphasizes that the attempt is pointless or has no chance of success, regardless of the intelligence behind it.