a difficult effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a difficult effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or undertaking that requires significant struggle or challenge to accomplish. Example: "Completing the marathon was a difficult effort, but the sense of achievement made it worthwhile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

75 min: Farrell misses the conversion, a difficult effort sailing well wide left.

The Guardian - Sport

Rutgers University law professor Craig Oren said it could be a difficult effort.

The Washington Post

Mr. Bhusri rose fast at PeopleSoft, but he became caught up in a difficult effort to move PeopleSoft products online.

The New York Times - Tech

Michael R. Taylor, deputy commissioner for foods at the F.D.A., said that the spice industry needs to clean up poor storage practices, a difficult effort.

The New York Times - Health

"Some people say that the risks of getting involved in such a difficult effort -- and failing -- are so great that we can't risk national prestige," he said today.

The New York Times

Now, Senate Democrats find themselves orchestrating a complicated maneuver in a difficult effort to approve all 12 bills in one swoop.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Paddy Jackson missed a simple penalty attempt three minutes later but converted a more difficult effort from nearer the sideline to level the scores after 14 minutes.

BBC

Godman was wide of the mark with a penalty but the number 10 quickly atoned when he banged over a more difficult effort after Ian Gough offended at the breakdown.

BBC

The Republican effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act was a similarly difficult effort, and the president's comments and actions were often not helpful.

The New York Times

Ms. Ross, who courageously agreed to talk on the record, has recently made a torturously difficult effort to turn her life around.

The New York Times

In 2006, Zahorchak said he supported requiring high-school students to pass exit exams before they could graduate, although he acknowledged implementing such a testing program would be a long and difficult effort.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs or modifying adjectives to describe the noun. For example, “an arduous effort”, or “a painstaking effort”. This ensures your phrase is as compelling as possible.

Common error

While accurate, "a difficult effort" can sometimes sound generic. Replace it with more descriptive language that highlights the specific challenges involved. For example, instead of "a difficult rescue effort", consider "a treacherous rescue operation."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a difficult effort" functions as a noun phrase, where "difficult" modifies the noun "effort". It is used to describe tasks or endeavors that require significant exertion and pose considerable challenges, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a difficult effort" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase to describe a task or undertaking that requires considerable exertion and faces significant challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and suggests that while the phrase is accurate, it may sometimes benefit from being replaced with more descriptive language to enhance impact. It appears most frequently in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, indicating a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about the reasons behind the difficulty and consider using synonyms to avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging undertaking

Replaces "effort" with a synonym that emphasizes the commitment required.

a demanding task

Highlights the high requirements and strain involved.

an arduous endeavor

Uses a more formal synonym for "effort" and emphasizes the laboriousness.

a strenuous attempt

Focuses on the energy and force exerted in trying to achieve something.

a tough assignment

Frames it as a task that is not easy to handle or complete.

a complex undertaking

Stresses the intricate and multifaceted nature of the task.

a formidable challenge

Emphasizes the intimidating and difficult nature of the task.

a herculean task

Alludes to the immense strength and effort required, drawing a comparison to the labors of Hercules.

a painstaking process

Indicates that extreme care and effort is required and that it will take a long time.

a labor-intensive operation

Focuses specifically on the large amount of manual or physical work required.

FAQs

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

"A difficult effort" describes a task or undertaking that requires significant struggle or challenge. For example, "Climbing Mount Everest was "a difficult effort", testing the limits of human endurance."

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

You can use alternatives like "a challenging undertaking", "a demanding task", or "an arduous endeavor" depending on the context.

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

Use "a difficult effort" when you want to emphasize that a task required a lot of hard work and was not easily accomplished. It's suitable when the struggle is a key aspect of the situation.

What's the difference between "a difficult effort" and "a strenuous attempt"?

"A difficult effort" emphasizes the overall challenge and exertion involved in an undertaking. "A strenuous attempt", on the other hand, specifically highlights the force and energy exerted in trying to achieve something. While similar, "a strenuous attempt" focuses more on the action of trying.