a one-time effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"a one-time effort" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a task or action that needs to be done just once. For example, "The project requires a one-time effort to set up the system correctly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Sports marketing experts say that although charitable giving is a solid strategy, some messages can be lost on viewers if the philanthropy is seen as a one-time effort or a blatant attempt to drum up sales.

The New York Times - Sports

Currently, consistent, continent-wide routine cropland mapping of Africa does not exist, with most studies focused either on certain portions of the continent or at most a one-time effort at mapping the continent at coarse resolution remote sensing.

ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing

Also, the recruitment of new staff cannot be a one-time effort since staff will continue to retire, transfer, and migrate on an annual basis.

Human Resources for Health

It is usually a one-time effort without considering the effects of users and user prediction order on recommendation accuracy, resulting in predication deviation on its nearest neighbors.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

This is not a one-time effort.

The New York Times - Books

"This is not a one-time effort," Mr. Chenault said in a telephone interview.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The team's main motivation is to kill nitty gritty copy and paste work that is not only time consuming but also often a one time effort.

TechCrunch

SEO is Not a One Time Effort Has an "expert" ever approached you claiming to be able to offer you long lasting, one time SEO services?

Huffington Post

Statistics compiled by the California chapter of Common Cause show that most of the money was spent on a successful one-time effort to pass ballot measures permitting expansion of reservation gambling, a move that is expected to eventually make California second only to Nevada as a casino mecca.

The New York Times

We routinely use different art styles with our characters and this rendition of Merida in her party dress was a special one-time effort to commemorate her coronation".

The Guardian - Film

A sustained effort over the long run is better than making a one-time big effort and then burning out.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing projects or initiatives, use "a one-time effort" to clearly communicate that the task is not ongoing or recurring. This helps set expectations and manage resources effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "a one-time effort" when describing activities that require continuous attention or regular updates. For continuous tasks, use terms like "an ongoing process", "a sustained effort", or "continuous improvement".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a one-time effort" functions as a noun phrase, where "one-time" acts as an adjective modifying "effort". It is used to describe an action or task that is intended to be performed only once, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

31%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a one-time effort" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that describes an action or task performed only once. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for a variety of contexts, including news, science, and business. It's important to use this phrase accurately to avoid confusion with ongoing processes. Related phrases include "a single endeavor" and "a solitary attempt". When writing, remember that it is generally more grammatically correct to use ""a one-time effort"" rather than just "one-time effort", particularly at the beginning of a sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a single endeavor

Replaces "effort" with "endeavor", suggesting a more significant or ambitious undertaking done only once.

a solitary attempt

Emphasizes the singular nature of the attempt, highlighting that it is not part of a series.

a unique undertaking

Highlights the distinct and individual character of the task or project.

a one-off project

Uses "one-off" to convey the idea of something not repeated or part of a regular series, commonly used in project management.

a limited-time initiative

Focuses on the time constraint of the effort, implying it is only available or relevant for a specific period.

a singular intervention

Suggests a decisive and unique action taken to address a specific situation.

a once-only task

Directly states the non-recurring nature of the task.

a non-recurring activity

Emphasizes that the activity will not happen again, suitable for formal contexts.

a standalone action

Highlights the independent nature of the action, separate from any other related activities.

an isolated measure

Indicates that the measure is not part of a larger, ongoing strategy.

FAQs

How can I use "a one-time effort" in a sentence?

You can use "a one-time effort" to describe a task or project that is completed only once. For example, "The system upgrade required "a one-time effort" to install the new software".

What are some alternatives to "a one-time effort"?

Some alternatives include "a single endeavor", "a solitary attempt", or "a one-off project", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "one-time effort" instead of "a one-time effort"?

While "one-time effort" is sometimes used, ""a one-time effort"" is generally more grammatically correct, especially at the beginning of a sentence. The article "a" makes the phrase smoother and more natural in many contexts.

What's the difference between "a one-time effort" and "an ongoing effort"?

"A one-time effort" refers to something done only once, whereas "an ongoing effort" describes something that is continuous or repeated over time. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the nature of the task or project.