a communal effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a communal effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or project that involves collaboration and participation from a group of people. Example: "The success of the community garden was truly a communal effort, with everyone contributing their time and resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

In an essay for New York magazine on the renovated Whitney, Jerry Saltz pines for "the museum's Platonic ideal: a communal effort, conducted over centuries, to preserve, interpret, and commune with artistic ancestors, archetypes, traditions, genres, and methods".

The New Yorker

We need a communal effort".

The New York Times

The future is a communal effort, like a patchwork quilt.

The Guardian - Books

And it is a nonsensical story in the Netherlands, where heroism is often a communal effort.

The New York Times - Books

But the menu, which changes daily, is a communal effort with her fellow cooks, Virginia Monaco and Chelsea Wilkes.

The New York Times - Food

The most important part of art for the Lockhart group isn't the product, she said, but the process, a communal effort that involves singing songs and receiving inspiration from the elders.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

To the proverbial visitor from outer space, the name of the holiday might suggest 24 hours of national housekeeping, a communal exertion of effort toward some unspecified end.

The New York Times

The university embraces and promotes a truly communal effort in aiding the greater community and assisting under-served populations.

Huffington Post

Anyone who has been part of a successful communal effort knows the sense of being a part of something greater than any or all of its constituents.

The Guardian - Opinion

A similar communal effort will begin in the United States in 2009, with a team in Rhode Island playing in the National Premier Soccer League.

The New York Times - Sports

Teaching is a collaborative, communal effort.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a communal effort" when you want to emphasize the collaborative and shared nature of a task or project, highlighting that success depends on everyone's contribution.

Common error

Avoid using "a communal effort" when the task is primarily individual, even if others are loosely involved. It is misleading to overstate the degree of collaboration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a communal effort" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes an undertaking that involves shared contribution and collaboration. Ludwig examples show this phrase used to describe diverse activities requiring coordinated input.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a communal effort" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that describes a task or project undertaken collaboratively. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correctness and applicability across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While alternatives like "a collective endeavor" or "a collaborative project" exist, the phrase effectively conveys the importance of shared responsibility and cooperation. Be mindful of accurately representing the collaborative nature of the activity when using this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a collective endeavor

Replaces 'effort' with 'endeavor', emphasizing a shared undertaking.

a collaborative project

Focuses on the collaborative nature of the task.

a joint undertaking

Uses 'joint' and 'undertaking' to highlight shared responsibility.

a team initiative

Emphasizes the team aspect and proactive nature.

a shared responsibility

Highlights the shared aspect of the obligation.

a cooperative venture

Replaces 'effort' with 'venture', suggesting a riskier undertaking done together.

a group activity

Simplifies the phrase to a basic description of a shared activity.

a community-based approach

Highlights the involvement of the community in the undertaking.

a concerted action

Emphasizes the coordinated and purposeful aspect of the effort.

a participatory process

Focuses on the inclusive nature of the activity.

FAQs

How to use "a communal effort" in a sentence?

You can use "a communal effort" to describe a project or task where success depends on the collaboration and participation of a group of people. For example: "The garden's success was due to "a communal effort"."

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

You can use alternatives like "a collective endeavor", "a collaborative project", or "a joint undertaking" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "a communal effort" and "a community effort"?

"A communal effort" emphasizes the shared and collaborative nature of the work itself. "A community effort" often refers to an effort that benefits the community, regardless of how the work is divided.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a communal effort"?

Use "a communal effort" when describing a situation where multiple individuals contribute significantly and collaboratively towards a shared goal. Ensure that genuine cooperation and shared responsibility are involved.