unconscious attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unconscious attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort or action that is made without conscious awareness or intention. Example: "Her unconscious attempt to please others often led her to neglect her own needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

When the pressure is on, Wegner wrote, the unconscious attempt to avoid errors consistently increases their likelihood of occurring.

The New York Times - Sports

Was her notoriously unforgiving criticism of Jewish collaboration with the Nazis really the unconscious attempt of a reluctant Jew to absolve her former German lover of his crimes?

The New York Times - Books

At play, the researchers say, is an unconscious attempt to "correct" for the persuasive effect of slogans by doing the opposite of what they say — a correction that does not appear to take place with brand names.

The New York Times - Tech

As Racheal grows up, she repeats some of her mother's mistakes (Jack Deam plays both her drunk dad and abusive husband, making an overt parallel) in an unconscious attempt to understand her abandonment, while trying to maintain a chipper disposition throughout.

Independent

They wanted to determine whether smoking represented an unconscious attempt at self-medication in schizophrenics.

Science Magazine

It's an often subtle and usually unconscious attempt at manipulating other people's perceptions of us.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

In that experiment, women were shown to prefer the smells of T-shirts of men who were more genetically dissimilar to them, possibly in unconscious attempts to avoid inbreeding.

The New York Times - Science

In the accounts we also identified interviewees' conscious or unconscious attempts to find "escape routes", ways out of the uncertain situation.

BMC Public Health

On the phone a few days later, his therapist wondered if the fall had been an unconscious suicide attempt.

The New York Times - Magazine

Then in 1994, Beat had a nearly ­disastrous motorcycle accident – he ­conceded that it could have been an unconscious suicide attempt.

The Guardian - Film

(For example, a player who was cleared to play after being knocked unconscious could attempt to prove he was knowingly mistreated).

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing psychological phenomena, use "unconscious attempt" to emphasize the role of underlying, non-deliberate motivations in shaping behavior. This phrasing is particularly useful in contexts like therapy, behavioral analysis, or literary criticism.

Common error

Avoid using "subconscious" interchangeably with "unconscious". While similar, "unconscious" often refers to processes entirely outside of awareness, whereas "subconscious" may imply a level of awareness just below the surface.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unconscious attempt" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes an effort or action that is driven by motivations operating outside of a person's conscious awareness, as Ludwig indicates.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unconscious attempt" describes actions driven by motivations outside of conscious awareness. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and wiki-based sources. It's frequently employed to explain behaviors through underlying psychological processes. While the phrase is valid in different settings, it finds common ground in neutral and formal registers. When writing about it, remember to differentiate between "unconscious" and "subconscious" actions to keep the message precise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subconscious endeavor

Replaces "unconscious" with "subconscious" and "attempt" with "endeavor", both suggesting a less direct or fully aware effort.

involuntary effort

Focuses on the lack of control or intention behind the effort.

unintentional action

Shifts the focus from effort to the action itself, emphasizing its unintended nature.

automatic response

Highlights the reflexive or habitual nature of the action, suggesting it occurs without conscious thought.

instinctive reaction

Emphasizes the role of instinct in driving the action, indicating it's a natural and unlearned response.

subliminal drive

Indicates a motivation or urge that operates below the level of conscious awareness.

implicit motivation

Highlights the underlying, unspoken, or not openly expressed reason for an action.

latent impulse

Suggests a hidden or suppressed urge that manifests in behavior.

unwitting act

Emphasizes the lack of awareness or knowledge on the part of the person performing the act.

unthinking behavior

Directly refers to behavior performed without careful thought or deliberation.

FAQs

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

You can use "unconscious attempt" to describe actions or behaviors driven by motivations a person isn't fully aware of. For example, "His constant need to please others was an "unconscious attempt" to gain approval".

What's the difference between "unconscious attempt" and a deliberate action?

An "unconscious attempt" is driven by hidden or not-fully-understood motivations, operating outside conscious awareness. A deliberate action is a conscious, intentional effort undertaken with full awareness of its purpose.

What are some alternatives to "unconscious attempt"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "subconscious endeavor", "involuntary effort", or "unintentional action".

Is "unconscious attempt" a formal or informal term?

"Unconscious attempt" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more frequently found in analytical or academic writing, where psychological motivations are being discussed.