thin attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thin attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort that is weak, insubstantial, or lacking in depth or seriousness. Example: "His thin attempt at humor fell flat during the serious meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"I'm thinking about majoring in business, but I don't know," he said, fingering a thin attempt at a mustache.

The New York Times - Sports

"This is a thin attempt to try to force me to pass a budget that spends billions more than the state can afford," he said at a news conference in Niagara Falls.

The New York Times

The thin attempt to "disguise" the figure in its current iteration does not impact the fact that you are plainly trading on Mr. Jobs image…".

TechCrunch

David Crawford of Radio Times commented that "The D'oh-cial Network" features "a rather thin attempt to parody The Social Network".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I think I'm having an anxiety attack," April goes on, over Rory's thin attempts to console her.

The New Yorker

The creaky old comedy often seems fresher than the thin attempts to add emotional layers to the characters through song.

The New York Times

He's a lot better at unrequited love than the show's admittedly thin attempts at slapstick humor.

Huffington Post

Rebels north of Aleppo had already been stretched thin, attempting to balance fronts against the regime, the Islamic State, and the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) and their allies.

Vice

Cisco, though formidable, is spreading itself thin by attempting to compete not only against data networking rivals but also against telecom giants such as Lucent Technologies.

Forbes

After all, here was an unpopular company with a frankly ridiculous brand it had pulled out of thin air, attempting to compete with the guys who defined the market.

TechCrunch

This highlights the difficulties and challenges that come of stretching yourself thin and attempting to appease family members during this prescribed happy time.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "thin attempt", consider the context and ensure that the adjective accurately reflects the effort's lack of substance or effectiveness. Choose synonyms like "feeble" or "weak" if they provide a more precise nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "thin attempt" when the effort was genuinely substantial but ultimately unsuccessful. Reserve this phrase for situations where the effort itself was inherently lacking or poorly executed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thin attempt" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "thin" modifies the noun "attempt". It describes the quality of the attempt, indicating its weakness or lack of substance, as supported by examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thin attempt" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that describes a weak or inadequate effort. As Ludwig AI points out, it's often used to express criticism or disapproval. While not exceedingly common, its usage spans various contexts, including news media, wikis, and scientific publications. Related phrases like "feeble effort" or "weak effort" offer similar meanings. When employing "thin attempt", ensure the adjective accurately reflects the endeavor's quality and consider the context to avoid overstating its inadequacy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeble effort

Replaces "thin" with "feeble", emphasizing the lack of strength or effectiveness.

weak effort

Substitutes "thin" with "weak", highlighting the lack of power or force.

inadequate effort

Directly states the insufficiency and unsuitability of the attempt.

flimsy effort

Emphasizes the insubstantial and unconvincing nature of the attempt.

meager effort

Highlights the insufficiency and lack of abundance in the attempt.

slight effort

Focuses on the small amount of energy or resources invested in the attempt.

token effort

Implies that the attempt was made primarily for appearance rather than genuine intent.

half-hearted attempt

Suggests a lack of enthusiasm and commitment in the undertaking.

superficial attempt

Highlights the lack of depth and thoroughness in the approach.

perfunctory attempt

Indicates that the attempt was carried out routinely and without genuine interest.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "thin attempt"?

Alternatives include "feeble effort", "weak effort", "flimsy attempt", or "meager effort". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

You might say, "His thin attempt to apologize didn't convince anyone," or "The government's thin attempt at reform failed to address the underlying issues."

Is "thin attempt" a formal or informal expression?

"Thin attempt" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's important to consider your audience. In some formal settings, a more direct or nuanced phrase might be preferable.

What is the difference between "thin attempt" and "failed attempt"?

A "thin attempt" suggests that the effort itself was weak or inadequate from the start, while a "failed attempt" simply indicates that the effort, regardless of its strength, did not achieve the desired result.