a distinguished effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distinguished effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort that is notable, exceptional, or worthy of recognition. Example: "Her research project was a distinguished effort that contributed significantly to the field of environmental science."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This is a distinguished effort in creating agile supply chains using Total Agile Design Systems as an assessment tool.

Journal of Applied Research and Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

And tonight I also announce a distinguished American to lead this effort to strengthen American security, a military veteran, an effective governor, a true patriot, a trusted friend: Pennsylvania's Tom Ridge.

The New York Times

Hawks finally earned an honorary Oscar in 1975 for being a "master American filmmaker whose creative efforts hold a distinguished place in world cinema".

Los Angeles Times

Toomas Ilves, Estonia's former President and a longtime driver of its digitization efforts, is currently a distinguished visiting fellow at Stanford, and says he was shocked at how retrograde U.S. bureaucracy seems even in the heart of Silicon Valley.

The New Yorker

Even the traditional forms, tanka and haiku, though moribund in 1868, took on new life, thanks largely to the efforts of Masaoka Shiki, a distinguished late 19th-century poet in both forms but of even greater importance as a critic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But a United States proposal to establish a stand-alone commission jointly led by the Haitian prime minister and "a distinguished senior international figure engaged in the recovery effort" won out.

The New York Times

This convivial memoir by a distinguished publisher charts a lifetime of cooking and consumption, from childhood efforts to conceal from a grandmother the mediocrity of her culinary efforts to the contentment of making a blueberry pie for grandchildren.

The New Yorker

As the dean of the Faculty of Computing and Information Science (CIS), and a distinguished computer science professor at the University, he's been in the middle of the effort to get the new campus.

TechCrunch

A distinguished NYC attorney.

The New York Times

A distinguished fiction writer.

The New York Times

This was a distinguished performance.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a distinguished effort" when you want to highlight that an endeavor is not only an attempt, but also carries a certain level of prestige, skill, or importance that sets it apart from ordinary attempts.

Common error

Avoid using "a distinguished effort" in overly casual settings. While grammatically correct, the term's formality may sound out of place if the situation doesn't warrant such elevated language. Opt for simpler, more direct alternatives like "a good effort" or "a solid attempt" for everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distinguished effort" functions as a noun phrase, with "distinguished" acting as an adjective modifying the noun "effort". It serves to qualify the effort as being particularly noteworthy or commendable. Ludwig shows that this construction is used to express admiration for a particular attempt or undertaking.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a distinguished effort" is a noun phrase used to commend an endeavor for its exceptional qualities. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct, although relatively rare in usage. It is most commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating a formal and professional register. When considering alternative phrasing, options like "a noteworthy endeavor" or "an outstanding achievement" can be used to convey a similar meaning. It is best practice to reserve "a distinguished effort" for scenarios that warrant a more formal and appreciative tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a noteworthy endeavor

Replaces "distinguished" with "noteworthy", emphasizing the deserving of attention aspect.

a commendable undertaking

Substitutes both "distinguished" and "effort" with synonyms, highlighting praiseworthiness and the nature of the task.

an outstanding achievement

Focuses on the successful outcome of the effort, implying exceptional quality.

a remarkable feat

Emphasizes the impressiveness and skill involved in the effort.

an exceptional performance

Highlights the high standard of execution in the effort.

a sterling contribution

Focuses on the valuable impact and positive qualities of the effort.

a praiseworthy attempt

Highlights the admirable nature of the effort, even if the outcome is not explicitly mentioned.

a superior accomplishment

Emphasizes the high level of skill and expertise involved in the effort's completion.

a significant contribution

Highlights the importance and impact of the effort made.

an invaluable service

Focuses on the benefit provided by the effort, emphasizing its essential nature.

FAQs

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

You can use "a distinguished effort" to describe a specific attempt or undertaking that is worthy of respect and admiration due to its quality or impact. For example, "The team's dedication to the project was "a distinguished effort", resulting in significant advancements in the field."

What are some synonyms for "a distinguished effort"?

Some alternatives to "a distinguished effort" include "a noteworthy endeavor", "a commendable undertaking", or "an outstanding achievement". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "a distinguished effort"?

While grammatically correct, "a distinguished effort" is best suited for formal or professional contexts. In casual conversations, simpler phrases like "a good job" or "a great attempt" might be more appropriate.

What distinguishes "a distinguished effort" from a regular effort?

"A distinguished effort" implies that the endeavor went above and beyond what was expected, showing exceptional skill, dedication, and impact, unlike a regular effort that might simply meet the minimum requirements.