a cautious effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"a cautious effort" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe an effort that is undertaken with care and caution. For example, "The team made a cautious effort to build a bridge over the ravine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

HONDA Honda's riposte to the Nissan Juke will be a cautious effort, judging from the styling of the Urban SUV Concept shown here.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The House approved a sweeping bill to limit such emissions in 2009, but a more cautious effort died in the Senate last year.

The New York Times - Science

Because our BPP-1 MCP chain trace differs from that of the HK97 gp5 in the order of the α and β structural elements ('Results'), we made an extra cautious effort to verify our trace by swapping the α and β structural elements in our model to create an interchanged model that matches the HK97 topology.

eLife

Mrs. Clinton met the country's new president, U Thein Sein, on Thursday morning and its main opposition leader, the Nobel peace laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, later in the day, underscoring the Obama administration's cautious efforts to nurture a thaw in one of the world's most isolated and repressive nations.

The New York Times

While the lawyers believed that his killing was legally defensible as collateral damage, the death cast a cloud over all those months of seemingly cautious efforts to analyze who should go on the list and who should not.

The New York Times

Machado Ventura, 85, is known as an enforcer of communist orthodoxy who has resisted cautious efforts to reform the island's moribund, centrally planned economy.

The Guardian

It certainly does not seem to rule out cautious efforts at reforms to improve the mix.

The Economist

They may also hope to scupper cautious efforts by India's prime minister, Manmohan Singh, to restart peace talks with Pakistan, which had collapsed after the 2008 assault.

The Economist

Many have hailed his selection as more evidence of King Abdullah's cautious efforts to move Saudi Arabia toward greater openness and tolerance in the last few years.

The New York Times

Cautious efforts might seek to enhance the potentially beneficial effects of groups, especially for women, and limit potentially damaging ones, especially for men.

AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV

Throughout the occupation, officials have insisted that they were taking a cautious and measured approach in an effort to avoid violence.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a cautious effort" when describing situations where minimizing risk and avoiding mistakes is paramount. This phrase is particularly effective in contexts like strategic planning or scientific research, where accuracy and thoroughness are valued over speed.

Common error

Avoid using "a cautious effort" in casual conversation or informal writing. The phrase's formal tone can sound stilted or overly serious in relaxed settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "being careful" or "taking it slow" to maintain a natural and approachable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cautious effort" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. It describes the manner in which an action or task is undertaken.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a cautious effort" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an action undertaken with care and deliberation. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its usage is relatively rare. Primarily found in News & Media and Science contexts, it conveys a sense of prudence and risk mitigation. When using this phrase, ensure the context aligns with its formal tone; otherwise, consider alternatives like "a careful undertaking" for broader applicability. Prioritize this phrase in situations where precision and minimizing errors are crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a careful undertaking

Emphasizes the attention and diligence involved in the effort.

a prudent endeavor

Replaces "cautious" with "prudent", emphasizing wisdom and foresight in the undertaking.

a measured attempt

Substitutes "cautious" with "measured", focusing on the controlled and deliberate nature of the action.

a deliberate endeavor

Highlights the intentional and thoughtful nature of the effort.

a circumspect approach

Shifts from an "effort" to an "approach", stressing the cautious manner in which something is handled.

a guarded initiative

Implies a level of protection or reservation in the effort.

a thoughtful action

Replaces "effort" with "action", focusing on careful consideration before acting.

a well-considered step

Highlights the careful thought and evaluation that precedes the action.

a conservative move

Emphasizes risk aversion and a preference for established methods.

a tentative step

Suggests a hesitant or exploratory approach, lacking confidence.

FAQs

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

You can use "a cautious effort" to describe an undertaking done with care and attention to avoid potential problems. For instance, "The team made "a cautious effort" to verify all data points before publishing the study".

What are some alternatives to "a cautious effort"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a careful undertaking", "a prudent endeavor", or "a measured attempt" instead of "a cautious effort".

When is it appropriate to use "a cautious effort"?

It's best to use "a cautious effort" in formal or professional settings where precision and risk mitigation are important. This phrase is suitable for describing strategies, research methodologies, or any situation where careful planning is essential.

What does "a cautious effort" imply?

The phrase "a cautious effort" suggests that the undertaking is being approached with careful consideration and a deliberate attempt to avoid errors or negative consequences. It conveys a sense of responsibility and diligence.