a scrupulous effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a scrupulous effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a diligent and careful attempt to achieve something, often emphasizing attention to detail and ethics. Example: "The team made a scrupulous effort to ensure that every aspect of the project met the highest standards of quality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Recorded mostly in Los Angeles at Capitol Records' Studio A, where Sinatra made his classic concept albums, "The Sinatra Project" is a scrupulous effort to recreate the sound and style of the late-'50s Capitol albums Sinatra recorded with arranger-conductors like Nelson Riddle and Billy May.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

That makes him a target, despite his scrupulous efforts not to upset the ruling Communist Party.

The Economist

Sony, being the quixotic, open-minded and self-confident company it is, claimed to have no trouble with that, and even gave Mr Nathan carte blanche to probe where he pleased.Despite the most scrupulous efforts to ensure that the biography was his own, Mr Nathan admits to feeling at times as if Sony's PR department had indeed hijacked his book.

The Economist

Happily, the effort paid off: Gould has written a scrupulous, witty and, at times, appropriately skeptical study, which drew me back into a subject I thought I was sick of.

The New York Times - Books

The trick is to find a big, public way to separate the zealots from those who just want a concerted effort by the party and its candidate to show a scrupulous commitment to respecting every vote cast.

The New York Times

As an expression of their responsibility to the dead, they can insist on a scrupulous rendering of historical detail; many therefore can be comfortable only with precise documentary efforts at re-creation.

The New York Times

Carolyn Tomkinson is a scrupulous budgeter.

The Guardian - Money

Stead was not a scrupulous man.

The Guardian - Books

And in Jonathan Bate, John Clare has found a scrupulous and sensitive biographer.

The Economist

He is a scrupulous dancer with a serious jump.

The New York Times - Arts

The director of the clinic observed a scrupulous professional silence.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "a scrupulous effort" with quantifiable results to demonstrate the impact of the diligence. For example, "The team made a scrupulous effort to reduce errors, resulting in a 15% decrease in defects."

Common error

Avoid using "scrupulous" when you mean "unscrupulous". "Scrupulous" means having moral integrity; using it in a negative context creates the opposite of your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a scrupulous effort" functions as an adjective phrase modifying the noun "effort". It describes the quality of the effort, emphasizing its careful, thorough, and ethical nature. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a scrupulous effort" is a grammatically sound and ethically charged expression, typically employed to emphasize the meticulous and morally driven nature of an endeavor. As Ludwig highlights, the expression is appropriate and effective in writing. While "a scrupulous effort" may not be as ubiquitous as other phrases, its precise meaning and implications make it a valuable tool in various contexts, including news reporting, scientific research, and formal business communications. As seen in the related phrases suggested, there are several alternatives for conveying similar degrees of meticulousness. Be cautious not to misuse it in negative contexts, and aim for clear, impactful language by providing instances of care within the described effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a meticulous endeavor

Replaces "effort" with "endeavor" and "scrupulous" with "meticulous", emphasizing precision and thoroughness.

a conscientious undertaking

Substitutes "effort" with "undertaking" and "scrupulous" with "conscientious", highlighting a sense of duty and care.

a diligent attempt

Replaces "effort" with "attempt" and "scrupulous" with "diligent", stressing perseverance and hard work.

a rigorous approach

Changes the structure to focus on the "approach" rather than the "effort", using "rigorous" to convey thoroughness and strictness.

a thoroughgoing exercise

Replaces "effort" with "exercise" and "scrupulous" with "thoroughgoing", emphasizing completeness and comprehensiveness.

a painstaking task

Shifts the focus to "task", emphasizing the labor and care involved, with "painstaking" highlighting the attention to detail.

a careful endeavor

Uses "careful" as an adjective which emphasizes attention to detail and avoiding mistakes.

a detailed investigation

Replaces "effort" with "investigation", highlighting the act of examining something closely.

a precise analysis

Replaces "effort" with "analysis", highlighting the act of examining something carefully to understand it.

a steadfast commitment

Changes the structure to focus on "commitment", emphasizing loyalty and dedication

FAQs

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

You can use "a scrupulous effort" to describe a deliberate and careful attempt to achieve something. For example, "The auditors made "a scrupulous effort" to verify all financial records".

What are some alternatives to "a scrupulous effort"?

Alternatives include "a meticulous endeavor", "a conscientious undertaking", or "a diligent attempt", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "a very scrupulous effort"?

While not strictly redundant, "scrupulous" already implies a high degree of care and detail. Using "very" may add emphasis, but it's often better to show the scrupulous nature through specific examples of the effort made.

What's the difference between "scrupulous" and "conscientious"?

"Scrupulous" emphasizes moral integrity and precise attention to detail, while "conscientious" highlights a sense of duty and carefulness. While similar, "scrupulous" often suggests a higher standard of ethical behavior than "conscientious".