a prodigious effort

USAGE SUMMARY

'a prodigious effort' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a great or remarkable effort that has been put in to accomplish something. For example, "He made a prodigious effort to finish the marathon in record time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It's a prodigious effort in time and cost ($2m spent).

The Guardian - Books

The actor Jonathan Tindle and the director Niegel Smith have made a prodigious effort to lift Lord Alfred's words off the page.

The New York Times

It was a prodigious effort fueled by Junqueira's patience as he ran side to side, slamming balls back at del Potro and coaxing him into sending an errant forehand over the baseline.

The New York Times

It was a prodigious effort from a team that did not cost a single penny in transfer fees and honorary mentions should go to the two centre-halves, Michael Nelson and Josh Coulson, for their backs-to-the-wall resilience.

The Guardian - Sport

Rigg is certainly a diligent researcher who has made a prodigious effort to document a paradoxical aspect of life in a racialist state, which is why one wishes that the book had been better written, more tightly focused, and more effectively organized.

Johns Hopkins University

The video exposes a prodigious effort to win over a set of consumers it has all but ignored since it opened shop in 1837: men, who bought $7.5 billion of its grooming goods last year (to women's $18.7 billion) and aren't natural targets for the company's mainstay brands in laundry and bathroom supplies.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Our reversal should in no way be interpreted as a criticism of the prodigious effort of the trial justice to control this litigation and keep all parties and counsel focused on the legal issues.

Harvard University

Once a chain reaction - produced in a former squash court under a football stadium in Chicago - had been converted through prodigious effort to the building of a workable atomic bomb, Szilard was against using it, as were nearly all the other physicists involved.

The Guardian - Books

"The Century," which will be broadcast at 9 tonight and five other nights through April 10, is the result of a prodigious journalistic effort.

The New York Times - Books

Seeing early on that the form didn't give Armenians a specific box to check, leaders of the Armenian community put on a prodigious volunteer effort last year to see that every Armenian--many non-English-speaking--answered Question 13 "Armenian," rather than Lebanese, Iranian, Iraqi or Soviet, referring to the nation of their birth.

Los Angeles Times

Park Ji-sung, the Korean known throughout the sport for his prodigious effort and energy, rose above a mediocre stalemate between two of England's giant clubs on Monday.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a prodigious effort" to describe situations where the amount of work or energy expended is particularly noteworthy or impressive. It adds emphasis to the scale or intensity of the activity.

Common error

Avoid using "a prodigious effort" to describe routine or mundane tasks. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the effort truly stands out. For simpler scenarios, consider alternatives such as "a significant effort" or "a considerable attempt".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prodigious effort" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It signifies a substantial and noteworthy attempt or exertion, indicating a considerable investment of resources, energy, or time. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a prodigious effort" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a remarkably large or impressive endeavor. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples from reputable sources. It is most frequently found in news and academic contexts, and its neutral register makes it suitable for a wide range of writing situations. When using the phrase, reserve it for situations that truly merit the description, and consider alternatives like "a monumental undertaking" or "an extraordinary endeavor" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an extraordinary endeavor

Highlights the exceptional nature of the effort.

a monumental undertaking

Emphasizes the scale and significance of the task.

a considerable exertion

Focuses on the physical or mental energy expended.

a tireless pursuit

Highlights the relentless and unwavering nature of the effort.

a massive undertaking

Like 'a monumental undertaking', emphasizes the scale.

a Herculean task

Implies immense strength and effort were required, referencing the mythical hero Hercules.

a determined attempt

Highlights the resolve and persistence in the effort.

an immense struggle

Suggests the effort involved overcoming significant obstacles.

a strenuous application

Emphasizes the intense and demanding nature of the work.

a spirited push

Suggests enthusiasm and vigor in the effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "a prodigious effort" to describe a task or undertaking that requires an immense amount of energy, time, or resources. For example, "The construction of the Great Wall of China required "a prodigious effort"."

What are some alternatives to "a prodigious effort"?

Some alternatives to "a prodigious effort" include "a monumental undertaking", "an extraordinary endeavor", or "a Herculean task".

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

Yes, "a prodigious effort" is suitable for formal writing. It is a clear and descriptive phrase that is easily understood in both formal and informal contexts.

What distinguishes "a prodigious effort" from "a great effort"?

"A prodigious effort" implies a greater scale or intensity than "a great effort". While "a great effort" indicates a significant amount of work, "a prodigious effort" suggests something truly exceptional or remarkable in its scope.