a commendable effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a commendable effort" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to acknowledge and praise someone's hard work or attempt, especially in a positive context. Example: "Despite the challenges faced during the project, the team put in a commendable effort that did not go unnoticed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

As for food, Barley Vine makes a commendable effort at keeping its prices affordable.

The New York Times

Yale University's Environmental Sustainability Index is certainly a commendable effort but is too complicated.

The Economist

It's a commendable effort by Miliband to normalize new-media engagements in his public diplomacy.

The New Yorker

The Carupano carnival parade is a commendable effort, if slightly amateur in execution.

The Guardian - Travel

The Resonance staging at the Clurman Theater is a commendable effort, but it achieves mixed results.

The New York Times

It all feels a bit like a school sports day, a commendable effort, a bit of fun.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

"Safely evacuating everyone from the platform and adjacent drilling rig, preventing any serious environmental impact and recovering control of the G4 well, is a highly commendable effort from the teams involved.

BBC

If a point represents a helpful step along the road to Crystal Palace's escape from relegation a surfeit of commendable effort was never going to be enough to offer Gus Poyet's 19th-placed side the victory they desperately needed ahead of a daunting run in.

The Guardian - Sport

Beyond its appearance, Kafe Teria has two things that set it apart: its parentage and its commendable effort to reach a wider audience.

The New York Times

I consider myself reasonably fluent, but I still refuse to speak Mandarin in front of an audience, so I give Zuckerberg props for his commendable effort.

TechCrunch

The city's version displays Mayor Bloomberg's commendable effort to keep Coney Island from being overwhelmed by oceanfront condominiums.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an effort, provide specific details to show what made the effort commendable. This adds credibility and depth to your praise.

Common error

Avoid using "a commendable effort" as a generic compliment. Ensure your praise is genuine and specific to the situation. Add relevant details to create more impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a commendable effort" functions as a noun phrase, with "commendable" modifying the noun "effort". It generally expresses appreciation and positive judgment of someone's attempt or work. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a commendable effort" is a noun phrase used to express appreciation for an attempt or undertaking, often regardless of the final outcome. It is deemed grammatically correct and usable by Ludwig AI. The phrase sees common usage across varied contexts, particularly within News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. Related phrases include "a praiseworthy attempt" and "an admirable endeavor", each bringing slight variations in emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure it's specific and genuine, avoiding generic praise. Finally, it's suitable for formal and informal communication, maintaining a professional and respectful tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a praiseworthy attempt

Emphasizes the positive quality of the attempt itself, focusing on the deserving of praise.

an admirable endeavor

Highlights the ambitious and respectable nature of the undertaking.

a creditable performance

Focuses on the quality and merit of the execution or carrying out of a task.

a noteworthy achievement

Stresses the significance and remarkableness of the accomplishment.

a laudable undertaking

Indicates that the effort is worthy of high praise and recognition.

a meritorious action

Suggests the effort deserves reward or recognition due to its excellence.

a sterling contribution

Emphasizes the high quality and valuable nature of the contribution made.

a valuable contribution

Stresses the importance and usefulness of the contribution.

a solid attempt

Highlights the reliable and stable nature of the attempt.

a decent try

Implies a reasonable but perhaps not outstanding attempt.

FAQs

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

You can use "a commendable effort" to praise someone's attempt or hard work, such as: "Despite the challenges, the team made a commendable effort." or "The project, while not fully successful, represents a commendable effort to address the issue."

What are some alternatives to "a commendable effort"?

You can use alternatives like "a praiseworthy attempt", "an admirable endeavor", or "a creditable performance" depending on the context.

Is "a commendable effort" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "a commendable effort" is suitable for formal writing. It is a professional and respectful way to acknowledge someone's work.

What's the difference between "a commendable effort" and "a good effort"?

"A commendable effort" implies a higher degree of praise and admiration compared to "a good effort". "Commendable" suggests the effort is particularly noteworthy and deserving of recognition.