Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
a hard working effort
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "a hard working effort" is not correct in standard English; it should be "a hardworking effort." You can use it when describing an effort that requires significant dedication and diligence.
Example: "The team put in a hardworking effort to complete the project ahead of schedule."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Alternative expressions(20)
a diligent effort
a dedicated effort
a strenuous effort
a laborious effort
a painstaking effort
a tireless effort
a committed endeavor
a determined attempt
a valiant attempt
a dedicated quest
a dedicated alignment
a dedicated attempt
a dedicated enterprise
a distinguished effort
a persevering approach
a dedicated data
a specialized effort
a purposeful effort
a focused initiative
a dedicated experiment
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
60 human-written examples
Pavlich was cheered by the 32,401 crowd every time he touched the ball, with the 34-year-old finishing with 15 disposals and two late goals in a hard-working effort.
News & Media
– had a hard working life.
News & Media
He was an avid traveler and a hard working entrepreneur.
News & Media
Robert Gibbs is a hard working, nice man.
News & Media
"They seem like a hard working bunch".
News & Media
She is a hard working and accomplished American.
News & Media
As it turns out though, the Whitney Houston phenomenon was set into motion not by the gods, nor even by Clive Davis himself, but by a hard-working low-profile guy named Gerry Griffith, whose efforts as an Arista A&R man serve to remind us what the acronym A&R stands for: artist(s) and repertoire.
News & Media
The success of research and development of nisin was attributed to a hard-working team and the fruits of their labour resulted from the effort of several generations of scientists.
Science
He's a hard-working businessman.
News & Media
"He is a hard-working guy.
News & Media
"He was a hard-working person.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "a hardworking effort" to describe a sustained and dedicated attempt to achieve something, especially when highlighting the intensity and perseverance involved. For clarity and correctness, it is better to use the single word "hardworking".
Common error
Avoid separating "hardworking" into "hard working" before a noun like "effort". The compound adjective "hardworking" functions as a single descriptor. Using "hard working" is generally incorrect.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase consists of an article ("a"), an adjective modifying another adjective ("hard working") and a noun ("effort"). The proper way to express it is with the compound adjective "hardworking" as in "a hardworking effort". Ludwig AI identifies that the phrase "a hard working effort" is not correct in standard English.
Frequent in
News & Media
60%
Science
20%
Formal & Business
20%
Less common in
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Academia
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "a hard working effort" is generally considered grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "a hardworking effort". According to Ludwig, this phrase describes an effort characterized by dedication and diligence. While understandable, using "a hard working effort" may detract from clarity in formal writing. Alternatives like "a diligent effort" or "a dedicated effort" offer better grammatical accuracy while maintaining a similar meaning. Always ensure that "hardworking" is used as a single compound adjective before the noun it modifies. While the phrase appears in varied sources, including news and media, adhering to proper grammar enhances credibility.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
a diligent effort
Focuses on the attentiveness and care put into the effort.
a dedicated effort
Emphasizes the commitment and devotion behind the effort.
a strenuous effort
Highlights the demanding and difficult nature of the effort.
a laborious effort
Focuses on the amount of work and toil involved.
a painstaking effort
Stresses the meticulousness and attention to detail.
a tireless effort
Emphasizes the perseverance and lack of fatigue in the effort.
a committed endeavor
Highlights the seriousness and intent of the undertaking.
a determined attempt
Focuses on the resolve and purposefulness of the attempt.
a hard-won success
Highlights the difficulty in achieving success after a lot of effort.
a valiant attempt
Emphasizes the courage and bravery in the face of difficulty.
FAQs
How can I properly use the term "hardworking" in a sentence?
Use "hardworking" as a compound adjective before a noun to describe someone or something that is diligent and industrious. For example, "She is a "hardworking employee"" or "They made a "hardworking effort"".
Is "hard working" ever correct to use?
While "hardworking" is generally preferred as a compound adjective, "hard working" can be used when "hard" modifies "working" as an adverb. This is less common and might sound awkward. For instance, "He was working hard, striving for success" is acceptable.
What are some alternatives to "a hard working effort"?
You can use alternatives such as "a diligent effort", "a dedicated effort", or "a strenuous effort" to convey a similar meaning with better grammatical accuracy.
What is the difference between "a hard working effort" and "a hardworking effort"?
The phrase "a hard working effort" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "a hardworking effort", where "hardworking" is a single compound adjective describing the noun "effort".
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested