a good effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"a good effort" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's attempt at a task or activity. For example, "I'm really proud of you for putting in a good effort on your schoolwork this semester."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it's a good effort.

The New York Times

Not a good effort.

The Guardian - Sport

A good effort, though.

The Guardian - Sport

In short, a good effort.

The New Yorker

"We had a good effort.

The New York Times - Sports

You make a good effort.

The New York Times - Sports

Over all, it was a good effort.

The New York Times - Sports

"It is a good effort," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

On the whole it's a good effort.

The Guardian - Tech

"We got a good effort from everyone".

The New York Times - Sports

A good effort from the boys.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a good effort" when you want to acknowledge someone's attempt, even if they didn't succeed completely. It's a positive and encouraging way to recognize their work.

Common error

While "a good effort" is positive, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your language with synonyms like "commendable attempt" or "valiant try" to maintain engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good effort" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It serves to describe and evaluate the quality of someone's attempt or undertaking. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a perfectly acceptable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a good effort" is a common and grammatically sound English phrase used to acknowledge and commend someone's attempt at a task, irrespective of the final outcome. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a perfectly acceptable phrase. It finds frequent application across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Sports reporting, offering encouragement or recognition. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with the situation to avoid sounding insincere, and consider diversifying your language by using alternatives like "commendable attempt" or "valiant try" to maintain audience engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a commendable attempt

Highlights the praiseworthy nature of the attempt, emphasizing moral approval.

a valiant try

Emphasizes courage and determination in the face of difficulty.

a decent shot

Suggests a reasonable chance of success, implying the effort was adequate.

a solid undertaking

Focuses on the firmness and reliability of the effort.

a worthwhile endeavor

Indicates that the effort had value, regardless of the outcome.

a spirited performance

Highlights the enthusiasm and energy displayed in the effort.

an earnest attempt

Stresses the sincerity and seriousness of the effort.

a notable undertaking

Highlights the noteworthiness of the attempt.

a respectable showing

Emphasizes the positive impression made by the effort.

a genuine attempt

Focuses on the authenticity and sincerity of the effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "a good effort" to describe someone's attempt at something. For example, "Despite the loss, the team put in a good effort" or "It wasn't perfect, but it was a good effort for a first attempt".

What are some alternatives to saying "a good effort"?

Alternatives include "commendable attempt", "valiant try", "decent shot", or "solid undertaking" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to say "a good effort" even if the outcome was poor?

While generally positive, using "a good effort" after a significantly negative outcome might seem dismissive or insincere. Consider acknowledging the result before praising the effort or opt for a more empathetic response.

What's the difference between "a good effort" and "a successful attempt"?

"A good effort" acknowledges the quality of the attempt, regardless of the outcome. "A successful attempt", on the other hand, focuses solely on achieving the desired result. You can have "good effort" without success, and success even with minimal effort.