a bold effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bold effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a courageous or daring attempt to achieve something significant. Example: "The team made a bold effort to tackle the challenging project, despite the tight deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

But we cannot discredit what has been a bold effort.

The New York Times

One episode recounted a bold effort to climb Mount Everest from the inside.

The New York Times - Magazine

Ten years ago Congress passed the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), a bold effort to improve America's schools.

The Economist

And he is taking on the system he critiqued with a bold effort to appropriate what he sees as one of its corrupting forces.

Harvard University

The plan, which is projected to save nearly $250 billion over the next 20 years, is a bold effort to rein in government spending.

The New York Times

In response, he appears to have embarked on a bold effort to change the perception of what constitutes the appropriate public role of a Supreme Court Justice.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

I wrote The Sportswriter in a period of sustained panic in the middle 1980s - most of the novel was written while I was living in New Jersey, Vermont and Montana - and at a time when my writing vocation was threatening to dematerialise in front of me, literally frightening me into a bolder effort than I ever supposed myself capable of.

The Guardian - Books

But Tribeca's foray stands out as a particularly bold effort to combine the promotional pop of a major festival — which gets marketing support from American Express, a longtime partner — with a new distributor that will acquire and release movies under the name Tribeca Film, even if they have no direct connection to the festival.

The New York Times

On a political level, the comments Mr. McKay attributed to Jeb Bush would further indicate an increasingly bold effort by the governor to deliver Florida to his brother.

The New York Times

A pioneering and bold effort to construct a bridge between scientific findings about the brain and the diversity, strengths, and fragilities of human cultures.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

An alligator theme park, a ghost lover, a Styx-like journey through an Everglades mangrove jungle: Russell's first novel, about a girl's bold effort to preserve her grieving family's way of life, is suffused with humor and gothic whimsy.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bold effort" to commend a significant undertaking that demonstrates courage and innovation. It effectively conveys admiration for ambitious actions, especially when facing considerable obstacles.

Common error

Avoid using "a bold effort" for commonplace or insignificant tasks. The phrase carries a weight of significance and is best reserved for situations where genuine risk, innovation, or courage are evident.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bold effort" functions as a noun phrase, with "bold" acting as an adjective modifying the noun "effort". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its usage in various contexts, showcasing its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bold effort" is a versatile phrase used to describe courageous, innovative, and ambitious undertakings. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, notably in News & Media. When using this phrase, reserve it for situations genuinely deserving of admiration for actions that display risk, innovation, or courage. While "a bold effort" is suitable for formal and neutral writing, overuse in trivial contexts should be avoided. Consider alternatives like "a courageous endeavor" or "a daring attempt" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a courageous endeavor

Replaces "bold" with "courageous", emphasizing bravery and willingness to face danger.

a daring attempt

Substitutes "bold" with "daring", highlighting the risk-taking aspect of the effort.

an ambitious undertaking

Focuses on the scale and scope of the project, suggesting it's large and challenging.

an innovative approach

Highlights the new and original nature of the method used.

a pioneering initiative

Emphasizes the role of the effort as a first step or leading example.

a venturesome project

Replaces "effort" with "project" and "bold" with "venturesome", focusing on risk and potential reward.

a spirited campaign

Emphasizes the energy and enthusiasm behind the endeavor.

a determined push

Focuses on the persistence and resolve involved in the effort.

a forceful move

Highlights the power and impact of the action taken.

a groundbreaking venture

Highlights the novelty and transformative potential of the effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "a bold effort" to describe a courageous or daring attempt to achieve something significant. For example, "The company launched "a bold effort" to expand into new markets despite the economic downturn."

What can I say instead of "a bold effort"?

You can use alternatives like "a courageous endeavor", "a daring attempt", or "an ambitious undertaking" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "a bold effort" in formal writing?

Yes, "a bold effort" is suitable for formal writing, especially when recognizing significant and courageous undertakings in business, academia, or news reporting. Its formality is neutral, making it versatile.

What distinguishes "a bold effort" from "a good effort"?

"A good effort" generally refers to any attempt that shows dedication or work, regardless of the outcome. In contrast, "a bold effort" specifically describes an attempt that is daring, innovative, and often involves risk, carrying a stronger implication of courage and ambition.