sustained attempts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sustained attempts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe ongoing or continuous efforts made towards achieving a goal or objective. Example: "The team made sustained attempts to improve their performance throughout the season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

With it came more sustained attempts to de-politicise the attacks.

The Guardian - Opinion

This book is about Ms. Brockes's sustained attempts to unearth them.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Armstrong said Mr. Tracy died despite immediate and sustained attempts by Virginia prison guards to intervene.

The New York Times

At P.S. 8, many teachers were wary after years of student attrition and few sustained attempts at improvement.

The New York Times

On a trip to Kenya recently, I spoke at the launch of the Code4Kenya initiative backed by government, the African Media Initiative, media companies, NGOs and the ICT sector as one of the first sustained attempts in Africa focused on making open data relevant to and used by citizens.

The Guardian

When sustained attempts, over many decades and by the world's greatest minds, fail miserably, the fault most likely lies in our assumptions.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Or give up and make a serious and sustained attempt at redirecting my working life.

The Guardian

Out of the window went any sustained attempt to assess Motion's careful placing of Larkin in post-war English poetry.

The Guardian - Books

The one sustained attempt to evoke a sense of place -- a two-page sprint from Union Square through Greenwich Village to the Lower East Side -- could have been transcribed from the speech of a tour-bus conductor counting the days to retirement.

The New York Times - Books

She inspired Ann Veronica, but the scandal made relations impossible with the straitlaced Fabian Society, in which Wells had made his most sustained attempt to turn socialist principle into practice.

The Guardian - Books

– forgetting to backdate the rebate for the tax when it was abolished in the early 90s. 4 Sorry for the 1746 Dress Act that banned tartan, part of a sustained attempt by the British government in Westminster to ethnically cleanse the Highlands and eliminate Gaelic culture.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a series of actions, use "sustained attempts" to highlight continuous and focused effort over a period, creating an emphasis on perseverance.

Common error

Avoid using "sustained attempts" for brief, one-time efforts. The phrase suggests an ongoing, prolonged series of actions rather than a single, isolated try.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sustained attempts" functions as a noun phrase, where "sustained" modifies "attempts". According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, describing ongoing or continuous efforts. The examples confirm its role in depicting perseverance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sustained attempts" correctly describes prolonged and continuous efforts toward a goal. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in English. The frequency is uncommon, predominantly in news and scientific contexts. To improve writing, ensure the phrase accurately reflects ongoing actions, differentiating it from singular efforts. Alternatives like "continuous endeavors" or "persistent efforts" can add nuance. Use "sustained attempts" when you intend to communicate perseverance and continued commitment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sustained endeavors

Uses a synonym to "attempts", maintaining a similar tone.

continuous endeavors

Focuses on the ongoing nature of the effort, emphasizing duration.

persistent efforts

Highlights the tenacity and determination involved.

repeated tries

Emphasizes the iterative nature of the efforts, suggesting multiple attempts.

ongoing initiatives

Suggests a more organized and structured approach to the efforts.

unrelenting pursuits

Conveys a sense of தீவிர and unwavering dedication.

determined actions

Focuses on the resoluteness behind the attempts.

consistent application

Highlights the regularity and uniformity of the efforts.

prolonged struggles

Emphasizes the difficulty and length of the efforts.

dedicated actions

Implies a commitment to achieving a specific goal.

FAQs

How can I use "sustained attempts" in a sentence?

You can use "sustained attempts" to describe ongoing or continuous efforts made towards achieving a goal or objective. For example: "The doctors made "sustained attempts" to save the patient's life."

What are some alternatives to "sustained attempts"?

Alternatives include phrases like "continuous endeavors", "persistent efforts", or "repeated tries" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "sustained attempt" instead of "sustained attempts"?

While grammatically acceptable if referring to a single, prolonged effort, "sustained attempts" is typically used to describe a series of efforts. Choose based on whether you're describing one or multiple tries.

What is the difference between "sustained attempts" and "initial attempts"?

"Sustained attempts" refer to continuing efforts over time, while "initial attempts" refer to the first tries at something. They represent opposite ends of a timeline of effort.