a big effort

USAGE SUMMARY

'a big effort' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something took a lot of work or time to accomplish. For example: "John put in a big effort to ensure the event was a success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"He's made a big effort.

The Economist

It was a big effort".

The New York Times - Sports

We need a big effort.

The New York Times - Science

He expects a big effort Saturday.

The New York Times - Sports

As night falls, we make a big effort.

The New Yorker

We made a big effort, but we needed more points.

The New York Times - Sports

"But they're making a big effort to replant the place".

The New York Times - Travel

"I had to make a big effort, have my antennas up all the times," he said.

The New York Times

We can make ourselves and the world better, but only if we make a big effort.

Independent

But what is needed most of all is a big effort by French politicians.

The Economist

Whoever calls the couple should make a big effort to overlook their cluelessness.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a big effort" to emphasize the amount of work, energy, or resources invested in a particular task or activity. It conveys a sense of significance and importance.

Common error

Avoid using "a big effort" when describing tasks that are relatively simple or require minimal exertion. Overusing it can diminish its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big effort" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or following a preposition. It describes the expenditure of considerable energy or resources. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a big effort" is a common phrase used to describe a significant amount of work, energy, or resources dedicated to a task. Ludwig AI indicates that is a valid and correct english phrase and its high frequency across diverse sources—including news, business, and scientific publications—underscores its versatility and broad applicability. Alternatives such as "considerable endeavor" or "substantial attempt" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Using "a big effort" appropriately involves understanding the scale of the task and avoiding overuse in trivial situations. Therefore, understanding when and how to use this phrase, as well as its alternatives, is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable endeavor

Emphasizes the scale and ambition of the undertaking.

a substantial attempt

Highlights the seriousness and purposefulness of the action.

a significant undertaking

Focuses on the importance and potential impact of the project.

a major exertion

Draws attention to the physical or mental energy expended.

a determined push

Suggests a strong will and resolve to achieve a goal.

an all-out attempt

Implies using all available resources and energy.

an intensive action

Stresses the concentrated and focused nature of the activity.

a laborious task

Emphasizes the difficulty and hard work involved.

a Herculean task

Implies that some work takes extreme effort to resolve, as associated to the mythical roman hero Hercules

a supreme dedication

Points out the commitment and devotion to a cause or goal.

FAQs

How can I use "a big effort" in a sentence?

You can use "a big effort" to describe the amount of work or dedication someone put into something. For example, "She made "a big effort" to complete the project on time."

What are some alternatives to "a big effort"?

Some alternatives include "considerable endeavor", "substantial attempt", or "significant undertaking". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "an big effort" instead of "a big effort"?

No, it is not correct. The article "a" is used before consonant sounds, while "an" is used before vowel sounds. Since "big" starts with a consonant sound, the correct form is ""a big effort"".

What's the difference between "a big effort" and "a small effort"?

"A big effort" implies significant work and dedication, whereas "a small effort" suggests minimal work or investment. The choice depends on the scale of the task and the amount of exertion involved.