a serious effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serious effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or earnest attempt to achieve something. Example: "The team put in a serious effort to meet the project deadline, working late into the night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just over a year ago, there was a serious effort to merge with MBC.

The Washington Post

Make a serious effort?

The New York Times

Mr. Samaras is "making a serious effort," she said.

The New York Times

But we also need a serious effort at argument-checking.

The New York Times

A serious effort there would pay dividends for social mobility.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was a serious effort to get rid of it.

The Guardian - Film

"I don't think it represents a serious effort," he said.

The New York Times

In the case of Kavanaugh, it was never a serious effort to get the truth.

Harvard University

Whether they would support a serious effort to downsize permanently the state's imprisonment caseload remains unclear.

University of California, Berkeley

Getting it done will require a serious effort by both parties.

The New York Times

Mr. Obama's team has made a serious effort on that front, unlike its predecessors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a serious effort", ensure the context clearly indicates the goal or objective towards which the effort is being directed. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a serious effort" in situations where the endeavor is trivial or lacks substantial commitment. This can diminish the phrase's impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious effort" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in describing attempts to achieve specific goals, reflecting its role in conveying the intensity or significance of an undertaking.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a serious effort" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes a significant and dedicated attempt to achieve a goal. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts. While maintaining a neutral register, it effectively emphasizes the commitment and importance of an undertaking. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "a dedicated attempt" or "an earnest endeavor". When incorporating this phrase into your writing, ensure that the context aligns with the level of commitment being conveyed to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dedicated attempt

Emphasizes the commitment and focus of the attempt.

a concerted endeavor

Highlights the collaborative and purposeful nature of the effort.

a determined push

Suggests a strong and resolute effort towards a goal.

an earnest attempt

Focuses on the sincerity and genuineness of the effort.

a vigorous undertaking

Implies an energetic and robust approach to the task.

a significant initiative

Highlights the importance and impact of the effort.

a resolute campaign

Suggests a sustained and unwavering effort towards a specific objective.

a committed approach

Focuses on the dedication and adherence to a particular method or strategy.

a substantial undertaking

Emphasizes the scale and scope of the effort involved.

a painstaking endeavor

Highlights the meticulous and detailed nature of the effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "a serious effort" to describe a significant attempt to achieve something, as in, "The company made "a serious effort" to reduce its carbon footprint."

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

You can use alternatives like "a dedicated attempt", "a concerted endeavor", or "a determined push" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a serious effort" or "an earnest effort"?

Both "a serious effort" and "an earnest effort" are correct, but "a serious effort" emphasizes the significance and scale of the attempt, while "an earnest effort" highlights the sincerity and genuineness behind it. Choose the one that best fits the context.

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

"A serious effort" implies a sincere and committed attempt, whereas "a major effort" suggests a large-scale or significant undertaking. While they can overlap, "a major effort" emphasizes the magnitude of the work involved.