thorough attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thorough attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a comprehensive or detailed effort made to achieve something. Example: "The team made a thorough attempt to solve the complex problem, analyzing every possible solution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

MacFarquhar's obituary is a thorough attempt to map the intersections between those two extremes.

The New York Times

Few critics, however, have failed to fall in love with the Globe's "Twelfth Night," its most ambitious and thorough attempt at Elizabethan authenticity.

The New York Times

("Her series of Johns Drawings are a cathartic confession of her past and a thorough attempt to reclaim power by objectifying these very clients").

The New York Times - Magazine

They were followed by a remarkably thorough attempt to sanitize the house — including pouring bleach down drains, the police said, as little by little word of the attacks trickled to the police.

The New York Times

The Flaggs ruling is the first of the three to come down which means it's the first thorough attempt to bring the Hayne saga to the attention of a federal appeals court.

The Washington Post

The Black Book of Communism is the most thorough attempt to date to tally up the harm done around the world by Marxist revolutions and the states they yielded.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Speaking to a crowd in Cincinnati two months later, Mr. Reagan unleashed one of his most thorough attempts to portray himself as a man of peace and Mr. Carter as a hapless warmonger.

The New York Times

Under Sargon's successor Sennacherib, deliberate and thorough attempts were made to transfer to Ashur the primeval achievements of Marduk, as well as the whole ritual of the New Year festival of Babylon attempts that clearly have their background in the political struggle going on at that time between Babylonia and Assyria.

Britannica

One of the most thorough attempts to validate the PLC concept for product classes and product forms was carried out a few years ago by the Marketing Science Institute.2 The authors examined over 100 product categories in the food, health, and personal-care fields, and measured the number of observations that did not follow the expected sequence of introduction, growth, maturity, and decline.

Harvard Business Review

One of the most thorough attempts to measure these social costs was done by Mark Delucchi, a cost-benefit analyst at the University of California, Davis, who factored in everything from expenditures in the Persian Gulf to the cost of the real estate devoted to free parking lots.

The New York Times - Magazine

Adopted from elements of Marxist theory, feminist standpoint theory also represents one of the more thorough attempts to ground epistemology and, correspondingly, a view of knowers in a social theory.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "thorough attempt", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being attempted and why a comprehensive effort is necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "thorough attempt" when a simpler, less intensive approach would suffice. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose or imply an unrealistic level of effort for the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thorough attempt" functions as a noun phrase, where "thorough" modifies the noun "attempt". As indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is used to describe a comprehensive and detailed effort.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thorough attempt" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a comprehensive and detailed effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is to emphasize the extent and quality of the effort undertaken, conveying a sense of dedication and seriousness. While versatile, it is particularly well-suited for contexts where a significant and detailed approach is warranted, such as in news reports, scientific publications, and formal business communications. While "thorough attempt" is not very common it's generally well accepted in a wide range of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comprehensive endeavor

Emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of the effort.

diligent effort

Highlights the care and persistence involved.

exhaustive effort

Stresses the completeness and detail of the effort.

meticulous undertaking

Focuses on the precision and attention to detail.

detailed investigation

Specifically refers to a careful and in-depth examination.

careful study

Implies a considered and thoughtful approach.

painstaking analysis

Underscores the effort and potential difficulty involved.

systematic approach

Highlights the structured and organized method.

rigorous exercise

Suggests a demanding and disciplined approach.

in-depth exploration

Focuses on the depth and thoroughness of the investigation.

FAQs

What does "thorough attempt" mean?

A "thorough attempt" means a complete and detailed effort made to achieve something. It indicates that a task was approached with diligence and attention to detail.

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

You can use "thorough attempt" to describe an action or process that involves a comprehensive effort. For example, "The scientists made a "thorough attempt" to understand the complex issue".

What can I say instead of "thorough attempt"?

You can use alternatives like "comprehensive endeavor", "diligent effort", or "exhaustive effort depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "thorough attempt" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "thorough attempt" when you want to emphasize the comprehensiveness and detail of an effort or investigation. It is best used when the context warrants a significant and detailed approach.