thwart attempts

USAGE SUMMARY

"thwart attempts" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing efforts to prevent or hinder someone's actions or goals. Example: "The new regulations were designed to thwart attempts at fraud." Alternative expressions include "prevent efforts" and "stop endeavors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Jimmy Wales said that Wikipedia would easily thwart attempts to track what his site's users were reading by encryption.

The Guardian - Opinion

The second, depicting how other police officers are fighting a determined but losing battle against a system that appears to thwart attempts to help victims at every turn.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the magnetic Mr López Obrador repels as many people as he attracts.He also helped to thwart attempts to unite the anti-PRI vote.

The Economist

It just goes to show how evolving internet and mobile app technology is helping to thwart attempts to limit democratic rights and freedoms".

The Guardian - Tech

Beijing has said that its new aircraft carrier will "thwart" attempts by foreign forces to seize disputed territories in the South China Sea.

The Times

It is the particular fault of those MPs who have previously used every dodgy argument in defence of unelected privilege to thwart attempts to democratise the upper house.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

The Canadian government has repeatedly thwarted attempts at domestic mergers.

The New York Times

Until now Germany, in particular, has thwarted attempts to make cross-border mergers easier.

The Economist

Recalling past thwarted attempts to expose Don, Pete decides to let the matter drop.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Previously, clouds had thwarted attempts to photograph it from the ground.

The New York Times

We have just succeeded in thwarting attempts to relocate a private sports facility by despoiling a small public park.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about proactive measures, use "thwart attempts" to emphasize the act of successfully preventing something undesirable from happening. This phrase conveys a sense of triumph over potential negative outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "thwart attempts" when the action merely complicates or slows down progress, rather than completely preventing it. Opt for words like "hinder" or "impede" in such cases to accurately reflect the degree of obstruction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thwart attempts" functions as a verb phrase where "thwart" acts as a transitive verb taking "attempts" as its direct object. This illustrates actions taken to prevent something from happening, as Ludwig AI confirms with its grammatical assessment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "thwart attempts" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe the act of preventing or hindering efforts. Ludwig AI validates its usability across various contexts. Its frequency is classified as common, appearing predominantly in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts. When writing, use "thwart attempts" to emphasize proactive prevention, but be mindful of the level of intent, ensuring it accurately reflects complete prevention rather than mere hindrance. Alternative phrases, such as "hinder endeavors" or "impede efforts", may be more suitable when the action only slows down progress. Top sources include The Guardian, The New York Times, and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

block initiatives

A more direct and forceful prevention.

hinder endeavors

Focuses more on impeding progress rather than completely stopping it.

impede efforts

Similar to 'hinder', but suggests a greater degree of obstruction.

obstruct endeavors

Suggests actively blocking or creating obstacles.

stymie efforts

Suggests a perplexing or frustrating obstruction.

foil initiatives

Implies clever or strategic opposition.

frustrate initiatives

Highlights the disappointment resulting from the prevention of success.

undermine endeavors

Focuses on weakening or destabilizing the efforts from within.

derail initiatives

Suggests causing efforts to go off track.

sabotage endeavors

Implies intentional destruction or disruption.

FAQs

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

You can use "thwart attempts" to describe actions taken to prevent something from happening. For example, "The new security measures are designed to thwart attempts to access sensitive data."

What are some alternatives to "thwart attempts"?

Some alternatives to "thwart attempts" include "hinder endeavors", "impede efforts", or "obstruct endeavors".

Which is correct, "thwart attempts" or "thwarting attempts"?

"Thwart attempts" is generally used as an infinitive or in present tense, while "thwarting attempts" is a gerund or present participle. The correct choice depends on the sentence structure.

What does it mean to "thwart attempts"?

To "thwart attempts" means to successfully prevent someone from achieving a goal or carrying out an action. It implies a proactive and effective intervention.