sustained attempts at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sustained attempts at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe ongoing efforts or endeavors towards achieving a particular goal or outcome. Example: "The researchers made sustained attempts at finding a cure for the disease over several years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

Meanwhile, Gingrich's one sustained attempt at contrast-drawing in the last few weeks, the assault on Romney's career at Bain Capital, has done the seemingly impossible: It's made movement conservatives rally around Romney, and at exactly the moment when he needed to start cementing their support.

The New York Times

Though it received strikingly little public attention at the time, the Obama administration undertook sustained attempts to negotiate a bilateral investment treaty with China.

Harvard Business Review

The fact that some of the individuals who would sustain harm from attempts at genetic engineering would not have otherwise been born is often used as a trump card to justify pursuing the technology despite its hazards.

Huffington Post

It peaked during what he calls a "sustained death attempt".

The Guardian - Music

There have been attempts at reform.

The Economist

Results also indicated that sustaining at five attempts would be sufficient to avoid effort-related selection bias.

BMJ Open

It captured Drniš on 18 September, but sustained defeats at Pakovo Selo two days later and near Šibenik on 22 September as it attempted to capture the city.

Wikipedia

Have there been previous attempts at negotiation?

BBC

Moreover, many of these academic experts believed that the Amazon — with its oppressive heat and nutrient-poor soil, which resisted modern attempts at farming — could simply not sustain large settled populations.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sustained attempts at" to clearly indicate that efforts were not isolated incidents, but rather a series of ongoing actions.

Common error

While appropriate in many situations, avoid overusing "sustained attempts at" in very formal documents. Consider simpler alternatives like "consistent efforts" or "ongoing work" for a more concise tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sustained attempts at" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, followed by a preposition. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English. It highlights the continuing nature of the attempts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sustained attempts at" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that emphasizes the ongoing nature of efforts to achieve a goal. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for a variety of contexts, although care should be taken to avoid overuse in overly formal settings. The phrase appears commonly in News & Media and Science, denoting the persistent nature of the endeavors being described. Consider synonyms like "consistent efforts towards" for variety. Using "sustained attempts at" effectively conveys a clear message of continuous, dedicated action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consistent efforts toward

This alternative emphasizes the consistency of the efforts, highlighting the continuous nature of the endeavor.

ongoing endeavors for

This option focuses on the continuous and developing nature of the efforts, emphasizing the process.

repeated initiatives aimed at

This phrase highlights the repetitive nature of the actions, emphasizing that multiple attempts were made.

persistent pursuits of

This alternative emphasizes the determination and drive behind the attempts.

continuous striving for

This option underscores the ongoing effort and dedication toward achieving something.

unrelenting push towards

This alternative conveys a sense of force and determination in the attempts.

determined campaigns for

Highlights the organized and purposeful nature of the attempts.

vigorous actions for

Focuses on the intensity and energy put into the attempts.

intensive work on

This choice underlines the focused and concentrated effort applied to the task.

prolonged struggle with

This alternative highlights the difficulty and extended nature of the attempts.

FAQs

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

You can use "sustained attempts at" to describe repeated or continuous efforts to achieve a specific goal. For example, "Despite numerous setbacks, the team made sustained attempts at improving their performance."

What phrases are similar to "sustained attempts at"?

Similar phrases include "consistent efforts towards", "ongoing endeavors for", and "repeated initiatives aimed at".

Is "sustained attempts at" formal or informal?

"Sustained attempts at" is generally considered neutral to formal. Simpler language may be more appropriate for very informal contexts.

What's the difference between "sustained attempts at" and "occasional attempts at"?

"Sustained attempts at" implies ongoing, continuous effort, while "occasional attempts at" suggests infrequent or sporadic efforts.