a sweeping effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sweeping effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a comprehensive or extensive attempt to achieve something, often involving significant resources or a broad scope. Example: "The organization launched a sweeping effort to address climate change by implementing new policies and engaging the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

A sweeping effort to rewrite the tax code faces major obstacles.

The Washington Post

Having been controlled before the war, growing hemp was criminalized thereafter in a sweeping effort to crack down on marijuana.

The New York Times - Arts

It is the latest move by Carlyle as it expands its energy practice, a sweeping effort that runs from private equity to lending and hedge funds.

The New York Times

Libya is engaged in a sweeping effort to rehabilitate its standing in the West after enduring decades of economic sanctions for its past support of terrorist organizations.

The New York Times

Environmentalists said the order was part of a sweeping effort by the administration to weaken landmark environmental legislation under the guise of streamlining.

The New York Times

It means launching a sweeping effort to address the foreclosure crisis so that we can keep responsible families in their homes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

She cast the evictions as a dry run for a more sweeping effort to clear refugees from Ingushetia, where as many as 150,000 civilians are reported to have taken refuge since the war in Chechnya broke out in 1999.

The New York Times

Finally, he said, there needs to be a more sweeping effort to fight worldwide corruption.

Harvard University

Yahoo is now planning to build on these changes, with a more sweeping effort to assess what is popular on the Web and to incorporate it into its front page.

The New York Times - Tech

His first goal was a low, sweeping effort that crept into the net from 25 yards.

BBC

Although parts of Lincoln Center have been renovated and patched up many times over 40 years, officials saw the need in 1999 for a far more sweeping effort to modernize old halls with the latest technology and correct spatial compromises in the original design.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sweeping effort" to emphasize the breadth and ambition of a particular undertaking. This phrase is especially effective when describing initiatives that involve significant resources or widespread changes.

Common error

Avoid using "a sweeping effort" as a vague placeholder. Instead, follow up with details about the specific actions, goals, and resources involved in the effort to provide clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sweeping effort" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a broad and comprehensive undertaking. As shown by Ludwig's examples, this phrase often introduces a significant action or initiative.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sweeping effort" is a noun phrase used to describe a broad and ambitious undertaking, confirmed as correct by Ludwig. It is frequently used in news and media contexts to emphasize the scale and comprehensive nature of an action, often related to initiatives addressing complex problems. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it is best used with specific details to provide clarity and impact. Related phrases include "a comprehensive undertaking" and "a widespread initiative". The phrase maintains a neutral to formal register and is suitable for various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a comprehensive undertaking

Replaces "effort" with "undertaking", emphasizing the scale and complexity of the task.

a widespread initiative

Substitutes "effort" with "initiative", highlighting the proactive and organized nature of the activity.

an extensive campaign

Replaces "sweeping effort" with "extensive campaign", often used in political or marketing contexts.

a far-reaching program

Replaces "effort" with "program", implying a structured and planned approach with long-term impact.

a broad-based strategy

Replaces "effort" with "strategy", emphasizing the tactical and intentional nature of the approach.

a large-scale project

Substitutes "effort" with "project", highlighting a specific, defined undertaking with clear objectives.

a global action plan

Implies a more structured approach, often addressing international or worldwide issues.

a concerted attempt

Replaces "sweeping" with "concerted", stressing the collaborative and coordinated nature of the effort.

a thorough overhaul

Implies a complete and extensive renovation or restructuring.

a radical restructuring

Suggests a fundamental and transformative change, more drastic than a simple effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "a sweeping effort" to describe a comprehensive attempt to achieve a specific goal. For instance, "The city launched "a sweeping effort" to reduce homelessness by providing more affordable housing and job training programs".

What are some alternatives to "a sweeping effort"?

Alternatives to "a sweeping effort" include "a comprehensive undertaking", "a widespread initiative", or "an extensive campaign", depending on the context.

What distinguishes "a sweeping effort" from "a simple attempt"?

"A sweeping effort" implies a broad scope and significant resources, whereas "a simple attempt" suggests a more limited approach. The scale and ambition of the undertaking are key differentiators.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the phrase "a sweeping effort"?

The phrase "a sweeping effort" is most appropriate when describing large-scale initiatives that aim to address complex problems or achieve significant transformations, such as in politics, social reform, or environmental conservation.