a final effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a final effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a last attempt to achieve something or to make a significant push before concluding an endeavor. Example: "In a final effort to save the project, the team worked late into the night to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Finally, phone calls were made as part of a final effort to reach families.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

"This is wrong," Perkins says he argued in a final effort to derail the vote.

The New Yorker

In a final effort the French forces checked the Prussians on September 20 , 1792 at Valmy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In a final effort, I made an impromptu trip to Los Angeles.

The New York Times - Magazine

People were clambering onto the road, making a final effort to harass and block the column.

The New York Times

A final effort to have a child from our embryos failed.

The New York Times

That is partly because, in a final effort to keep out the opposition, the government has changed the voting system.

The Economist

At the White House, officials made a final effort to spur the committee on to a solution.

The New York Times

He wanted to have his hands free for a final effort against France, even after Catalonia had surrendered.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ms. Tucker said the latest criticism represented a final effort by Mr. Ashcroft's opponents to thwart his nomination.

The New York Times

Wilder saw Gary Russell Jr., a top medal hope, collapse from heat exhaustion during a final effort to make weight.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a final effort" to clearly indicate that this is the last attempt to achieve a specific goal, ensuring clarity in your communication.

Common error

Avoid using "a final effort" repeatedly within a short span of text; vary your language to maintain reader engagement and prevent redundancy. Instead consider using "a last attempt" or "a concluding endeavor".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a final effort" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. As shown by Ludwig, it describes the last attempt made to achieve a specific outcome, with the implication that previous attempts have been undertaken.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a final effort" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase that signals a concluding attempt to achieve a goal. Ludwig's analysis confirms its widespread use across varied contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific literature. While the phrase is generally safe to use, remember to avoid overuse and consider alternatives such as "a last attempt" or "a concluding endeavor" for stylistic variation. The expert rating of 4.5 reflects its clarity, correctness, and consistent application across authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a last attempt

Replaces "effort" with "attempt", emphasizing the action of trying one last time.

a concluding endeavor

Substitutes "effort" with "endeavor" and "final" with "concluding", highlighting the terminal nature of the undertaking.

a last-ditch attempt

Adds the sense of desperation or urgency to the final try.

a terminal push

Uses "push" to suggest a strong exertion and "terminal" to indicate finality.

a desperate measure

Implies a sense of urgency and risk, suggesting the situation is critical.

a last resort

Indicates that all other options have been exhausted.

an ultimate try

Replaces "effort" with "try" and uses "ultimate" to signify the last chance.

a climactic action

Emphasizes that this final action is a decisive or significant event.

a closing gambit

Suggests a strategic move made near the end.

the end game

Uses a metaphor to indicate the final stage of a process where a decisive effort is made.

FAQs

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

"A final effort" is typically used to describe the last attempt to achieve something before giving up or before a deadline. For example: "In a final effort to boost sales, the company launched a new marketing campaign."

What's a good alternative to "a final effort"?

You can use alternatives such as "a last attempt", "a concluding endeavor", or "a last-ditch attempt", depending on the context.

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

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that something is the last opportunity to succeed. It conveys a sense of urgency and the culmination of previous attempts.

Is "a final effort" formal or informal?

"A final effort" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its neutrality allows it to fit well in news reports, academic papers, and casual conversations.