a strenuous effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a strenuous effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or intense amount of work or exertion put into a task or activity. Example: "Completing the marathon required a strenuous effort, but the sense of accomplishment made it worthwhile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

There is a strenuous effort, in certain conservative circles, to take it seriously.

The New Yorker

public use unless the owner can prove he made a strenuous effort to keep the public out.

The New Yorker

But certainly Ms. Geller's various Web sites offer no evidence of them, despite a strenuous effort to do so.

The New York Times

When we fight an urge, it feels like a strenuous effort, as if there were a homunculus in the head that physically impinged on a persistent antagonist.

The New York Times - Books

"Reading Jackie" by William Kuhn and "Jackie as Editor" by Greg Lawrence represent a rebranding of the legend, a strenuous effort to burnish her literary legacy.

The New York Times - Books

Gossiping over instant coffee in the kitchen is a waste of time; serving five courses on grandmother's Limoges to 30 is a strenuous effort, usually with little return.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

The observed inverse relationship between time sustained and vVO2max⁡ at 100 and 105% of vVO2max⁡ is in accordance with previous reports for similar swimming intensities [ 1, 5, 6, 8, 9] and could indicate a significative strenuous effort, with a more pronounced recruitment of anaerobic energy pathways.

BioMed Research International

In the revised manuscript, we have made a more strenuous effort to emphasize the novelty of the approach and the findings.

eLife

"I only knew that I had completed a period of most strenuous effort and at this point, nothing more remained to be done and that on this particular project at least, there could never at any time in the future be anything else to do".

The New York Times - Sports

So much strenuous effort, and never, ever a week when all the women being so assiduously courted are available.

The Guardian - Opinion

The funniest sequence is a strenuous group effort to revive a corpse, first through some alarmingly aggressive artificial respiration, then through slapping and slamming the body until it breaks apart.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a collective action, specify who made "a strenuous effort" and what specific actions they undertook.

Common error

Avoid using "a strenuous effort" to describe everyday tasks. Reserve it for situations involving significant difficulty or intensity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a strenuous effort" functions as a noun phrase, with "strenuous" modifying the noun "effort". It describes an action involving significant exertion. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Arts

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a strenuous effort" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe actions requiring significant energy, focus, or dedication. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is usable in many contexts, especially News & Media and Science. While generally neutral in register, it’s most impactful when used to describe situations beyond simple, everyday tasks. Consider stronger synonyms like "a Herculean task" to indicate immense difficulty and be specific to avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a concentrated effort

Highlights the focus and energy directed towards the goal.

a considerable attempt

Changes the adjective to indicate the substantial nature of the effort.

a vigorous attempt

Replaces 'strenuous' with 'vigorous', suggesting an energetic effort.

a determined push

Shifts focus to the resoluteness behind the effort.

an intensive endeavor

Uses a more formal term, 'endeavor', to convey a serious undertaking.

a major undertaking

Indicates the scale and significance of the effort.

a painstaking task

Highlights the care and detail involved in the effort.

a Herculean task

Emphasizes the immense difficulty and strength required.

a laborious exercise

Focuses on the demanding and tiring aspect of the effort.

a difficult undertaking

Indicates the challenging nature of the effort.

FAQs

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

Use "a strenuous effort" to describe actions requiring significant energy or determination, such as "Completing the project required "a strenuous effort" from the entire team".

What are some alternatives to "a strenuous effort"?

You can use alternatives like "a vigorous attempt", "a considerable exertion", or "a determined push" depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "a strenuous effort" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when describing significant undertakings or challenges. However, consider alternatives like "an intensive endeavor" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "a strenuous effort" and "a concentrated effort"?

"A strenuous effort" implies a high degree of energy expenditure and difficulty, while "a concentrated effort" suggests focused attention and energy towards a specific goal. The former emphasizes the intensity, and the latter emphasizes the focus.