a common effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"a common effort" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It simply refers to the idea that all parties involved are making an effort together to achieve a goal. For example, "With a common effort, we were able to collect enough donations to build a new playground for the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This needs to be a common effort.

The New York Times

But this change of approach must be a common effort.

The Guardian

A common effort to fight drug trafficking should be urgently defined and coordinated.

The New York Times

The paper summarises the scenario building process as a common effort among research institutes and industry.

Applied Energy

The Copenhagen accord exists and has been heralded by some as a new beginning, involving a wider number of countries in a common effort to avert catastrophe.

The Guardian

Iran has called on the US and Britain to "join hands" with Tehran in a common effort to defeat Islamic State and end the war in Syria.

The Guardian

He believed that the people of this city in a common effort could turn their communities into places of hope and satisfaction.

The New York Times

He said a common effort among moderate Baptists could cooperate with other groups, including African-American and European Baptists, and even, he said, the Southern Baptist Convention.

The New York Times

Please unite your colleagues in a common effort to eliminate this danger today with the same dedication as those who produced the Declaration of Independence.

University of California, Berkeley

The State of Israel is prepared to do its share in a common effort for the advancement of the entire Middle East.

Yale University

And he has met his demise because the government and the people of Yemen have joined the international community in a common effort against Al Qaeda.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a common effort" to emphasize collaboration and shared responsibility in achieving a specific goal. This phrase works well when highlighting the contributions of multiple parties.

Common error

Avoid using "a common effort" in overly passive constructions that obscure who is taking action. Instead of saying "Progress was made through a common effort", specify who made the effort, such as "Researchers and policymakers made a common effort to address the problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common effort" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It represents the abstract concept of combined action towards a shared goal. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread and correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

24%

Science

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a common effort" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies collaboration and shared responsibility towards a goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. While it's appropriate for both formal and informal settings, alternatives like "a collaborative endeavor" or "a joint undertaking" may be preferred in more formal situations. Remember to use this phrase actively and avoid passive constructions to highlight those contributing to the effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a collaborative endeavor

Emphasizes the joint nature and shared enterprise.

a concerted action

Highlights the coordinated and purposeful nature of the activity.

a joint undertaking

Stresses the shared responsibility and commitment.

a shared initiative

Focuses on the proactive and collective starting point.

a mutual endeavor

Highlights the reciprocal benefits and contributions.

a team effort

Implies a structured group working towards a common aim.

a combined action

Stresses the merging of different actions into one.

a unified approach

Highlights the consistency and agreement in method.

a collective push

Emphasizes the energetic and united momentum.

a communal attempt

Focuses on community involvement and shared risk.

FAQs

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

You can use "a common effort" to describe situations where multiple individuals or groups collaborate to achieve a shared objective. For example: "The project succeeded thanks to "a common effort" from all team members."

What are some alternatives to "a common effort"?

Alternatives include "a collaborative endeavor", "a concerted action", or "a joint undertaking", depending on the specific context.

Is "a common effort" formal or informal?

"A common effort" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal settings, consider using "a collaborative endeavor" for a slightly more sophisticated tone.

What is the difference between "a common effort" and "a team effort"?

"A team effort" typically refers to a structured group working together, while "a common effort" can involve a more loosely defined group or individuals united by a shared goal. While similar, "a team effort" often implies a more organized framework.