a simple effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"a simple effort" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that does not require a great deal of effort to do, such as "Making healthy meals can be a simple effort with the right ingredients."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Not a simple effort, but difficult and all-important.

The New York Times

In state capitols, the debates have been reframed in the dry language of good government — a simple effort to clear the air, supporters say, for confused voters.

The New York Times

Aware that its legal tactics may have given the book an extra dollop of publicity, Mr. Röhmel of the Munich archdiocese played down the affair as a simple effort to correct the historical record.

The New York Times

Keatley was successful with his first penalty attempt of the game but then missed with a simple effort from in front of the posts.

BBC

Burns's indifferent night continued when he missed a simple effort in front of the posts, before Rob Cook took over kicking duties and landed his first effort off the crossbar to close the gap to 20-15 at half-time.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

This information is used to advantage on the linear feedback controller design via a simple cancelation effort.

Revista Iberoamericana de Automática e Informática Industrial RIAI

"This is not a simple logistical effort ― this is a highly complex, sophisticated operation in one of the most difficult terrains on Earth," Salama said.

Huffington Post

It may be that this autobiography is set down in sincerity, frankness, and simple effort.

The New Yorker

She finds this lightness, this relinquishing of control, difficult to achieve, especially since it cannot be accomplished by simple effort.

The New Yorker

They both believe that this simple effort changed the entire climate of their relationship for the better, by defusing a chronic issue.

Huffington Post

We thus propose a simple best-effort sensing policy that attempts to achieve uniform sampling with its best efforts [11-13] [11-13]

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a simple effort" to downplay the difficulty of a task, making it appear more approachable. For example, "Improving your health can start with a simple effort like walking 30 minutes a day."

Common error

Avoid using "a simple effort" when the task genuinely requires significant dedication or resources. This can create unrealistic expectations and undermine the value of the work involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a simple effort" functions as a noun phrase, where "simple" modifies the noun "effort". It generally describes an action or task that requires minimal exertion or complexity. Ludwig provides examples where it signifies easily achievable actions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a simple effort" is a noun phrase used to describe an action or task that does not require significant exertion or complexity. Ludwig AI affirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. While the phrase is not overly common, appearing mostly in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it serves the purpose of conveying ease and encouraging action. Remember to use this phrase when you genuinely want to downplay the difficulty of a task and avoid overstating the simplicity when more significant effort is involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an easy attempt

Replaces "effort" with "attempt", emphasizing the act of trying in an uncomplicated manner.

a basic endeavor

Substitutes "simple" with "basic" and "effort" with "endeavor", highlighting the fundamental nature of the undertaking.

a straightforward task

Replaces "effort" with "task", suggesting a clear and uncomplicated activity.

an uncomplicated undertaking

Focuses on the lack of complexity by using "uncomplicated" and "undertaking."

a minimal exertion

Emphasizes the small amount of energy required.

a light application

Suggests the use of something with minimal force or energy.

an elementary measure

Highlights the fundamental and uncomplicated nature of the action.

a routine activity

Implies a standard and easily manageable action.

a plain move

Highlights the unadorned and simple character of the action

an effortless try

Indicates the easiness and simplicity of the action

FAQs

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

You can use "a simple effort" to describe an action that does not require much energy or resources. For example, "Maintaining a clean workspace is often a simple effort that boosts productivity."

What can I say instead of "a simple effort"?

You can use alternatives like "an easy attempt", "a basic endeavor", or "a straightforward task" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a simple effort"?

It's appropriate when describing tasks that are easily achievable and don't demand a lot of time, resources, or complex thinking. It's useful for encouraging action by minimizing perceived difficulty.

What's the difference between "a simple effort" and "a concerted effort"?

"A simple effort" implies minimal exertion and ease, while "a concerted effort" suggests a well-organized and determined attempt involving multiple people and resources.