a targeted effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a targeted effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a specific and focused attempt to achieve a particular goal or outcome. Example: "The organization launched a targeted effort to reduce plastic waste in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

In a targeted effort to exclude Planned Parenthood and other clinics affiliated with abortion providers from taxpayer-financed programs, lawmakers also cut the state's family-planning budget by two-thirds.

The New York Times

A targeted effort by the Democratic Party to appeal to them could produce victories in the short term: To win the 2004 presidential election, John Kerry needed just 59,300 additional votes in Ohio — that's four percent of the total evangelical vote in the state, or approximately 10percentt of Ohio's moderate evangelical voters.

The New York Times

This suggests that a generic approach to "optimizing innovation" will not do as well as a targeted effort to identify the "best practices" that accord with a country's comparative advantage.

Triple Helix

Matt Friedrich Matt Friedrich, one of the prosecutors, call Andersen a serial offender that enforced its so-called document retention policy in a way it had never done before by engaging in a "targeted" effort to destroy Enron-related documents.

Forbes

We argue that addressing this gap may involve a renegotiation of what have traditionally been considered traits, and a targeted effort to include and expand upon efforts to address traits-cultural ecosystem services links in traits research.

Ecological Indicators

This is a targeted effort to reinforce a prohibition that goes back nearly 100 years.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The drone base, established in February and staffed by about 120 members of the Air Force, is the latest indication of the priority Africa has become for the United States at a time when it is winding down its presence in Afghanistan and President Obama has set a goal of moving from a global war on terrorism toward a more targeted effort.

The New York Times

And while it has made efforts to highlight the advantages of its platform for business users, this is a very different thing and involves a huge, targeted effort to sell through to enterprise users of all stripes.

TechCrunch

The post said: "This was no fishing operation, it was a narrowly targeted effort".

The Guardian

The Romney campaign has unleashed its first barrage of commercials in Iowa and seven other battleground states, a narrowly targeted effort that underscores just how much money will flood so few states in such a small amount of time.

The New York Times

The Department of Health and Human Services will scale a more targeted effort, "DC-to-VC," to engage venture capitalists, innovators, and entrepreneurs who are increasingly focused on how to capitalize on reforms that promote health IT adoption, reform payment incentives to reward value, not volume, and liberate an unprecedented amount of health information.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a targeted effort", ensure the objective is clearly defined and communicated. This helps in aligning resources and measuring success.

Common error

Avoid using "a targeted effort" without specifying the target. A clear target enhances the effectiveness and measurability of the effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a targeted effort" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes a planned and specific action undertaken to achieve a particular goal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and varied usage across different sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a targeted effort" is a noun phrase describing a focused and intentional action aimed at achieving a specific goal. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across different contexts. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, science, and formal business settings. While grammatically sound and widely understood, it's essential to ensure the target is clearly defined when using this phrase to maximize its impact. Related phrases like "a focused endeavor" or "a specific initiative" can be used as alternatives to subtly shift the emphasis depending on the specific context. The phrase conveys intentionality and planning and is generally neutral in tone, making it suitable for professional communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a focused endeavor

Emphasizes the dedication and energy invested in achieving a specific outcome.

a specific initiative

Highlights the planned and organized nature of the undertaking, often within a larger framework.

a concentrated attempt

Stresses the intensity and dedication of resources towards achieving a particular aim.

a deliberate undertaking

Highlights the intentional and thoughtful nature of the effort.

a purposeful activity

Emphasizes the clear objective and reason behind the action.

a strategic move

Suggests a calculated approach with a specific goal in mind, often in competitive situations.

a planned intervention

Implies a proactive and carefully designed action to address a particular situation.

a precise operation

Highlights the accuracy and meticulousness involved in the process.

a distinct endeavor

Highlights the uniqueness and particularity of the effort.

a selected campaign

It refers to a series of actions planned to accomplish a definite aim.

FAQs

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

You can use "a targeted effort" to describe a focused and deliberate attempt to achieve a specific goal. For example, "The company launched "a targeted effort" to reduce carbon emissions."

What are some alternatives to "a targeted effort"?

Alternatives include "a focused endeavor", "a specific initiative", or "a concentrated attempt", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a targeted effort" or "a general effort"?

"A targeted effort" implies a specific goal, while "a general effort" suggests a broader, less focused approach. The better choice depends on the context and the intended strategy.

What's the difference between "a targeted effort" and "a purposeful effort"?

"A targeted effort" emphasizes the specificity of the aim, while "a purposeful effort" highlights the intention and reason behind the action. Both convey a sense of intentionality, but "a targeted effort" is more about precision.