a major effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a major effort' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a significant amount of hard work to achieve a certain goal. For example, "The team put in a major effort to bring home the championship win."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But it had been a major effort.

The Guardian

After World War II, Europe made a major effort to democratize its education systems.

The New York Times

JAPAN seems to be preparing to embark on a major effort to right its economic ship.

The Economist

But yeah, in terms of legislative achievement, it was a major effort.

The New York Times

It is hardest to mount a major effort while a problem still seems minor.

The New Yorker

In 1984, the government began a major effort to eliminate spitting.

The New York Times - Health

A major effort is under way to learn how the cancers develop in the first place.

The Guardian

He also said the government was making a major effort to bring more Jews to Israel.

The New York Times

The country embarked on a major effort to wean itself off oil.

The Guardian

Beginning last May, I made a major effort to bring us back together.

The New York Times

To do so will require a major effort, whose chance of success has divided opinions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a major effort" to underscore the magnitude of resources, time, or dedication invested in a particular task or goal. It effectively conveys the significance of the undertaking.

Common error

Avoid using "a major effort" for minor tasks. This diminishes the phrase's impact and can make your writing seem hyperbolic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major effort" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes an undertaking characterized by considerable exertion and resources. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a major effort" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that describes a significant undertaking requiring considerable resources and dedication. According to Ludwig, it's suitable for various contexts, including news reports, business communications, and academic discussions. Ludwig AI analysis reveals that while the phrase is common, overuse in trivial contexts should be avoided. Semantically related alternatives include "a substantial endeavor" and "a significant undertaking". This analysis, combined with Ludwig's assessment, provides a comprehensive understanding of the phrase's usage and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial endeavor

Replaces "effort" with "endeavor" and "major" with "substantial", emphasizing the scale and commitment involved.

a significant undertaking

Substitutes "effort" with "undertaking", highlighting the project-like nature and importance of the activity.

a considerable attempt

Uses "attempt" instead of "effort" and "considerable" for "major", focusing on the act of trying with significant input.

an extensive operation

Replaces "effort" with "operation", suggesting a well-organized and large-scale activity.

a large-scale initiative

Emphasizes the scope and proactive nature of the effort using "initiative".

a determined push

Focuses on the force and resolve behind the effort, using "push" to suggest forward movement.

a concerted action

Highlights the coordinated nature of the effort, implying teamwork and a shared goal.

an ambitious project

Frames the effort as a project, emphasizing its scale and potential impact.

a vigorous campaign

Suggests a structured and energetic approach, often used in political or social contexts.

a Herculean task

Implies the effort is exceptionally difficult and requires immense strength or determination.

FAQs

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

You can use "a major effort" to describe situations where significant resources and dedication are invested in achieving a goal. For example, "Launching the new product required "a major effort" from the entire team."

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a substantial endeavor", "a significant undertaking", or "a considerable attempt".

Is it appropriate to use "a major effort" in formal writing?

Yes, "a major effort" is suitable for formal writing as it is grammatically correct and widely used in professional and academic contexts.

What's the difference between "a major effort" and "a minor effort"?

"A major effort" implies a large-scale undertaking requiring significant resources, while "a minor effort" suggests a small-scale task that does not demand substantial resources.