a good effort in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a good effort in" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe someone's accomplishment in a certain task or activity. For example, "I want to commend Sarah for a good effort in the spelling bee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"I feel like I'm throwing the ball well and put a good effort in.

The New York Times - Sports

"I can see Tasmania is making a good effort in this area but we will be the first," she said.

The Guardian

A good effort in his next start will most likely give Visionaire a spot in the Kentucky Derby field.

The New York Times - Sports

The senator made a good effort in New York, but did not get the turnaround victory he sought.

The New York Times

Mr. Monson, in a telephone interview late on Tuesday, said that Mr. Putin called him the day before to congratulate him on a good effort in the fight.

The New York Times

After winning an allowance race at Gulfstream in February, he finished last in the Tampa Bay Derby but rebounded with a good effort in the Wood Memorial.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

It was a good effort to hang in there for most of the final session.

BBC

"It certainly brought back memories and it was good to see that the producers made a good effort to ensure realism in terms of the kit the soldiers had, etc.

The Guardian - Film

In relation to past failed shows adapted from British shows, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette stated "Despite botching the American remake of the Britcom Coupling, NBC makes a pretty good effort in its version of The Office in duplicating the original's ethos while injecting it with an American sensibility".

Wikipedia

"I think we put in a good effort and we created a lot of chances.

The New York Times - Sports

It was a good effort especially when you factor in that he had barely slept.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a good effort in" when you want to acknowledge someone's positive attempt, even if the outcome wasn't fully successful. It's a way to encourage further improvement and recognize the value of trying.

Common error

While "a good effort in" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "a commendable attempt" or "a significant endeavor" in professional reports or academic papers to maintain a higher level of formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good effort in" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject complement or object, describing the quality of work done within a specific task or field. It acknowledges the positive aspects of a try, as Ludwig shows.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Unknown/unmatched sources

17%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a good effort in" is a common and generally correct expression used to acknowledge positive attempts and endeavors. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and provides numerous real-world examples. While versatile, its register leans towards neutral to informal, suggesting that more formal alternatives might be preferable in academic or highly professional contexts. Remember that while the phrase acknowledges the act of trying it is not conditional on the success of that try.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a commendable attempt at

Focuses on the praiseworthy nature of the attempt rather than just the effort put in.

a strong endeavor in

Emphasizes the intensity and determination behind the effort.

a valiant try at

Highlights the courage and determination involved in the attempt, especially when facing challenges.

a sincere attempt in

Stresses the genuineness and honesty of the effort.

a determined push in

Focuses on the resolute nature of the action taken.

an earnest undertaking in

Implies a serious and committed approach to a task.

a notable exertion in

Draws attention to the significant energy expended.

a creditable showing in

Highlights the praiseworthy performance or display of skill.

a decent go at

Suggests a reasonable level of effort without necessarily implying exceptional quality.

a fair shot in

Indicates that someone was given a reasonable opportunity to try.

FAQs

What does "a good effort in" mean?

The phrase "a good effort in" signifies that someone has put forth considerable energy and dedication into a task or activity, even if the result wasn't perfect. It acknowledges the positive aspect of trying and striving.

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

You can use "a good effort in" to commend someone's attempt, such as: "The team made "a good effort in" the competition, despite facing tough opponents.".

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

Alternatives include "a commendable attempt at", "a strong endeavor in", or "a valiant try at", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "a good effort in"?

While generally suitable, consider the context. In highly formal or critical settings, a more precise or sophisticated phrase might be preferred, such as "a significant endeavor" or "a notable exertion in".