a colossal effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a colossal effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or immense amount of work or energy put into a task or project. Example: "The team put in a colossal effort to complete the project ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"Even to win one of those matches is a colossal effort".

The New York Times - Sports

But at Carrington Park in Bathurst —where the small ground allowed for some old-fashioned shadow creep and the creation of a great atmosphere by a near full house of just 8800 fans (which gave me a hankering for the simpler, less ambitious days of the 1980s) — the Panthers were always a step behind, if not trampled underfoot by a colossal effort from Andrew Fifita.

The Guardian - Sport

"The boys have put a colossal effort in.

BBC

A 76 from Murphy helped him to within three, yet it would need a colossal effort to turn the match around.

BBC

It is by any yardstick a colossal effort to help a country in the name of European solidarity.

Huffington Post

An extreme example is the ambitious BlueBrain project, 56 a colossal effort toward building a virtual brain, a large scale simulation on a supercomputer.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"He strives to be utterly inconspicuous," said Chief Judge Michael B. Mukasey of Federal District Court, "and succeeds in doing so, until you get the final product, at which point you realize what an absolutely colossal effort it must have been.

The New York Times

The physical strength of this movie is impressive: an awe-inspiring and colossal effort, just like Valjean's as he lifts the flagpole at the beginning of the film.

The Guardian - Film

"At this level you have to play with a little more ambition than they showed," argued Dallaglio, whose man-of-the-match award rewarded yet another colossal effort from a player who has now won every major honour in the game in the last 14 months.

The Guardian - Sport

Few, for example, say they can imagine how the country's education system -- once one of Africa's best, but now in a state of advanced decay -- could manage the kind of colossal effort required to make even a modest dent in the linguistic habits of a population so large.

The New York Times

The concept of this singular colossal effort in Baltimore became a mission for this core group, and the foundation for our #GivingTuesday initiative -- now known as Bmore Gives More -- which aims to raise $5 million on Dec. 3.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a colossal effort" to emphasize the extraordinary amount of energy, resources, or dedication that went into a particular task or project. This phrase is especially effective when highlighting achievements that overcame significant obstacles.

Common error

Avoid using "a colossal effort" to describe trivial or routine tasks. Overusing the term can diminish its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic. Reserve it for genuinely significant undertakings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a colossal effort" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "colossal" modifies the noun "effort". It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, describing the magnitude of the endeavor. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a colossal effort" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an undertaking requiring a significant amount of work or resources. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While it is more common in news and formal contexts, its impact is maximized when reserved for genuinely significant endeavors. Consider alternatives like "a tremendous effort" or "a monumental task" for nuanced expression. It is important to avoid overusing this phrase for minor tasks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tremendous undertaking

Emphasizes the scale and ambition of the endeavor, rather than just the effort involved.

a monumental task

Highlights the challenging and imposing nature of the task at hand.

an immense undertaking

Focuses on the vastness and scope of the project or activity.

a herculean task

Implies a task requiring extraordinary strength, courage, or effort.

a considerable endeavor

Suggests a noteworthy and significant effort, less extreme than "colossal".

a massive attempt

Emphasizes the scale of the attempt and the resources involved.

a significant undertaking

Highlights the importance and impact of the effort.

an extraordinary feat

Focuses on the remarkable achievement resulting from the effort.

a remarkable endeavor

Emphasizes the praiseworthy and noteworthy nature of the undertaking.

a valiant attempt

Highlights the courage and determination involved in the effort, especially when facing adversity.

FAQs

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

You can use "a colossal effort" to describe situations where a significant amount of work, energy, or resources was invested. For example, "The team made "a colossal effort" to meet the deadline." or "It took "a colossal effort" to rebuild the city after the earthquake."

What are some alternatives to "a colossal effort"?

Alternatives include "a tremendous effort", "a monumental task", "an immense undertaking", or "a herculean task", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a colossal effort" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "a colossal effort" is suitable for formal writing, but ensure that the context warrants such a strong descriptor. In situations where a more understated tone is preferred, consider alternatives like "a considerable effort" or "a significant undertaking".

What distinguishes "a colossal effort" from "a great effort"?

"A colossal effort" implies a much larger scale of exertion and resources compared to "a great effort". "Colossal" suggests something immense and extraordinary, while "great" is more general and less emphatic.