a righteous effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a righteous effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or endeavor that is morally right or justifiable, often in the context of social justice or ethical pursuits. Example: "The community's response to the crisis was truly a righteous effort, demonstrating their commitment to helping those in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr. Veerappan describes in detail his kidnappings and killings, but he depicts them as a righteous effort to avenge outrages committed by the police as they pursued him.

The New York Times

For nearly three decades, Chuck and Tom argued about the war, Tom maintaining that it was unjustified from the start and Chuck that it was a righteous effort gone wrong.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

This is a righteous cause.

The New York Times

Not bad for a righteous cause.

The New Yorker

HERS might seem a righteous crusade.

The New York Times

A — You mean the armor of a righteous cause?

The New Yorker

And where is your righteous effort to outlaw Jews' right to observe the Sabbath on the "wrong" day, or to keep Kosher?

Huffington Post

Lurking behind the church/state controversy over the morally righteous effort to make contraceptives available to American women is the certain truth that even the most devout Catholics ignore the Church's medieval doctrine on this one.

Huffington Post

This creates something of a dilemma for steak loving environmentalists, like myself, who have so far managed to skirt around the issue of meat, instead preferring to focus our righteous efforts on recycling yoghurt pots or investing in energy efficient light bulbs.

Independent

He was named a "righteous gentile" by Israel for his efforts.

The New York Times

But we see other things differently -- and we come to different conclusions on alternatives for addressing the problem of overly self-righteous efforts to push back against Chinese abuses of power.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a righteous effort" to describe actions that are not only effective but also morally justified, adding a layer of ethical approval to the description.

Common error

Avoid using "a righteous effort" in casual conversation or informal writing, as the term "righteous" can sound overly formal or self-congratulatory in those settings. Opt for simpler terms like "good effort" or "genuine attempt" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a righteous effort" functions as a noun phrase, where "righteous" modifies the noun "effort". It is used to describe an action or attempt that is morally justified or virtuous. Ludwig AI confirms this, as it found multiple instances of the phrase being used in this context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a righteous effort" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a morally justified endeavor. As Ludwig AI analysis confirms, this phrase is typically found in news and media contexts, lending a tone of ethical approval. While less common than simpler alternatives, its use emphasizes the moral high ground of the action being described. When writing, be mindful of the formality it carries and consider whether simpler language might be more appropriate for informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a just endeavor

Replaces "righteous" with "just", emphasizing fairness and moral correctness.

a moral undertaking

Substitutes "effort" with "undertaking" and uses "moral" instead of "righteous", focusing on ethical principles.

an ethical endeavor

Similar to "a moral undertaking", but uses "ethical" to highlight professional or behavioral standards.

a virtuous act

Changes the focus to the action itself, describing it as virtuous.

a commendable deed

Highlights the praiseworthy nature of the action.

a noble cause

Focuses on the cause being righteous, rather than the effort itself.

a principled action

Emphasizes that the action is based on strong principles.

an honorable attempt

Highlights the honor and integrity behind the attempt.

a justified action

Focuses on the defensible or legitimate nature of the action.

a warranted endeavor

Emphasizes that the endeavor is justified and appropriate.

FAQs

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

You can use "a righteous effort" to describe any activity undertaken for a morally justifiable cause. For example: "The community's response to the crisis was truly "a righteous effort"".

What's a less formal way to express "a righteous effort"?

If you want a less formal alternative to "a righteous effort", consider using phrases like "a good deed", "a genuine attempt", or "a worthwhile undertaking" depending on the context.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the term "righteous"?

The term "righteous" is appropriate in contexts where you want to emphasize the moral or ethical justification of an action or effort. It's often used in discussions of social justice, ethical behavior, or moral decision-making.

What's the difference between "a righteous effort" and "a noble cause"?

"A righteous effort" describes the action or endeavor itself, while "a noble cause" refers to the underlying reason or purpose. You can have a righteous effort in support of a noble cause.