a legitimate effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a legitimate effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or attempt that is valid, genuine, or worthy of recognition. Example: "The team put in a legitimate effort to meet the project deadline, and their hard work paid off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

It was not at all important whether her argument was correct — only that it was a legitimate effort.

The New Yorker

Mussina said he considered off-season testing a legitimate effort to deter the use of performance enhancers.

The New York Times - Sports

"The Mets made a legitimate effort to acquire him," Koo's agent, Alan Nero, told The Associated Press yesterday.

The New York Times - Sports

Would that decision be a provocation or a legitimate effort to commemorate the war and the people who died in it?

The New York Times

Nevertheless, Samper had proved popular with the public for what was perceived as a legitimate effort to step up the war on the drug lords.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Competitive concerns aside, Walsh said he was always open to releasing Marbury as long as Marbury made "a legitimate effort" to negotiate.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Federal officials have argued that the raids were a legitimate, lawful effort to deport immigrants with outstanding deportation orders.

The New York Times

A, B), it is readily apparent that this is more of an effort to sensationalize these proceedings than a serious, legitimate effort to preserve "electronic documents" of third parties with first-hand knowledge of important facts.

TechCrunch

Since those charges were made public, Mr. Morgenthau, who has long described the interactions between Mr. Rangel and Mr. Isenberg as a purely legitimate effort to help City College, has said he hopes that the ethics committee will keep in mind the congressman's decades of public service.

The New York Times

Israel was undertaking an "appropriate and legitimate effort" to defend itself but the consequences were of deep concern, Kerry said.

The Guardian

"Matthew Fell, director of company affairs at the CBI, said: "These changes will help ensure it is a legitimate rescue effort, and not just a vehicle for incumbent management to carry on with business as usual having shed their original debts".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a legitimate effort" when you want to emphasize the validity or acceptability of an action, especially in contexts where it might be questioned or challenged.

Common error

Avoid using "a legitimate effort" to describe actions that are clearly unethical or illegal. Overstating the legitimacy of questionable actions weakens your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a legitimate effort" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "legitimate" modifies the noun "effort". It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting a valid or justifiable attempt. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a legitimate effort" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes an action or attempt that is valid, justifiable, or in accordance with accepted standards. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, but also appears in scientific and encyclopedic contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, careful consideration should be given to the context to ensure that the effort is genuinely legitimate and not overstated. Consider alternatives such as "a valid attempt" or "a genuine endeavor" to fine-tune the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a valid attempt

Replaces 'legitimate' with 'valid', suggesting a legally or officially acceptable attempt.

a genuine endeavor

Substitutes 'legitimate effort' with 'genuine endeavor', highlighting sincerity and earnestness.

a bona fide attempt

Uses the Latin term 'bona fide' to emphasize the good faith and authenticity of the effort.

a reasonable undertaking

Changes the phrase to focus on the rationality and feasibility of the attempt.

a rightful undertaking

Suggests that the effort is morally or legally correct and justified.

a justifiable endeavor

Replaces 'legitimate' with 'justifiable', implying the effort is morally or legally defensible.

a well-founded initiative

Indicates that the effort is based on solid reasons or evidence.

an admissible attempt

Focuses on the acceptability and permissibility of the attempt.

a permissible undertaking

Highlights the allowed or authorized nature of the effort.

an authorized endeavor

Emphasizes that the endeavor has received official approval or consent.

FAQs

What does "a legitimate effort" mean?

The phrase "a legitimate effort" refers to an attempt or endeavor that is considered valid, justifiable, or in accordance with accepted standards or rules. It suggests that the effort is genuine and worthy of recognition.

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

You can use "a legitimate effort" to describe actions that are valid and justifiable, such as, "The company made "a legitimate effort" to reduce its carbon footprint" or "The student made "a legitimate effort" to improve their grades".

What are some alternatives to "a legitimate effort"?

Some alternatives to "a legitimate effort" include "a valid attempt", "a genuine endeavor", or "a reasonable undertaking". These alternatives emphasize different aspects of the effort, such as its validity, sincerity, or reasonableness.

What's the difference between "a legitimate effort" and "a sincere attempt"?

While both phrases imply a genuine try, "a legitimate effort" emphasizes the validity or justification of the action, whereas "a sincere attempt" focuses on the honesty and earnestness of the effort. You might use "a sincere attempt" even if the effort is misguided or ineffective, but "a legitimate effort" suggests it is appropriate and well-founded.