0
Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

No attempt vs. no attempts

which is correct?

There have been no attempts by Jane to contact Tarzan.

or

There has been no attempt by Jane to contact Tarzan.

Thank you.
  

Top answer

They are both correct. The first is more common. The second sounds like you are denying what someone has just said.

— BarbaraPA

  • They are both correct.
  • The first is more common.
  • The second sounds like you are denying what someone has just said.
  • "
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

3 Answers
0
They are both correct.

The first is more common.

The second sounds like you are denying what someone has just said. "Jane tried to contact Tarzan." "No, she didn't." "Yes, there an attempt by Jane to contact Tarzan." "I'm telling you, there has been no attempt by Jane to contact Tarzan."
0
0
There's no difference in meaning or implication, as far as I know.
0
0
There is a subtle difference actually. The first instance implies that Jane has not made any of several (implied plural)possible attempts to contact Tarzan. The second implies that Jane has not made any one (implied singular), or specific , attempt to contact Tarzan.
0

Related Questions