a thoughtful effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a thoughtful effort" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when referring to a person's attempt to complete a task or project. For example, "John put a thoughtful effort into drafting the proposal, and his hard work paid off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I want this to be a thoughtful effort on both sides that doesn't jeopardize this program".

The New York Times

Others say that summer school was destined to fail because there has never been a thoughtful effort to train teachers or match up skills with assignments.

The New York Times

As for Kevin Spacey's incarnation of Nixon, it, too, passes quickly from mannerisms into a thoughtful effort to capture a singular world view.

The New Yorker

The Court will consider the constitutionality of Arizona's Clean Elections Act, a thoughtful effort to deter both the appearance and the reality of campaign corruption by providing matching funds to participating candidates to ensure they can run a competitive race, even against a privately-financed candidate with huge reserves or a candidate with the support of corporate special interests.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Truth is one, and any thoughtful effort to heal the enmity between science and religion should be lauded.

Huffington Post

While he was running for president he made what even his critics acknowledged was a serious and thoughtful effort to address race relations, during a speech in Philadelphia in March 2008.

The New York Times

The Volcker Rule is a noble and thoughtful effort to make the banking system safer in the long-term postfinancial crisis.

The New York Times

But there was a great gulf between the tremendously thoughtful effort of the best minds that had gone into defeating Fascism and rebuilding Germany and Japan, and the peevish, self-serving attention paid to Iraq.

The New Yorker

Almost 25 years later we have failed to mount a thoughtful, concerted effort to stop what is now this plague.

The New York Times

Much as I respect Francis Fukuyama's thoughtful effort to place the Bush administration's aberrant foreign policy within a cogent intellectual matrix, I believe that a quite different view of it is also tenable.

The New York Times

Despite thoughtful effort on the part of zoos to engage visitors in meaningful conservation education, zoos invoke colonial narratives about people, places and animals.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a thoughtful effort" when you want to emphasize that an action or project was undertaken with careful consideration and planning. For example, instead of saying "He tried hard", say "He made "a thoughtful effort" to understand the problem before proposing a solution".

Common error

While "a thoughtful effort" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. In informal settings, consider using simpler alternatives like "a good try" or "a sincere attempt" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thoughtful effort" functions as a noun phrase, where 'thoughtful' modifies 'effort'. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples show it describing attempts made with consideration and planning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a thoughtful effort" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes an action or project undertaken with careful consideration and planning. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Although its frequency is rare, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the tone and register of your writing, as this phrase may sound overly formal in some informal contexts. Alternatives like "a considered endeavor" or "a careful undertaking" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considered endeavor

Emphasizes the careful consideration put into the attempt.

a well-planned undertaking

Highlights the planning and preparation involved.

a deliberate attempt

Focuses on the intentionality and purposefulness of the effort.

a conscientious approach

Stresses the diligence and moral consideration in the method.

a careful undertaking

Highlights the attention and care taken to do a correct task.

a serious attempt

Emphasizes the significant investment of energy.

a meticulous endeavor

Focuses on the thoroughness and precision of the activity.

a painstaking approach

Highlights the dedication and thoroughness in the method.

a well-considered plan

Focuses on the planning and preparation involved in the attempt.

a thorough investigation

Highlights the depth and completeness of the task.

FAQs

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

You can use "a thoughtful effort" to describe an action or project that was undertaken with careful consideration and planning. For example: "The team made "a thoughtful effort" to address all the concerns raised during the meeting".

What are some alternatives to "a thoughtful effort"?

Alternatives include "a considered endeavor", "a deliberate attempt", or "a careful undertaking", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a thoughtful effort"?

It's appropriate in formal and semi-formal contexts where you want to emphasize the level of consideration and planning involved in an action. It might be less suitable for very casual or informal settings where simpler phrases are more appropriate.

Is "a thoughtful effort" the same as "a serious effort"?

While similar, "a thoughtful effort" emphasizes the planning and consideration involved, whereas "a serious effort" primarily highlights the dedication and commitment. The choice depends on which aspect you want to emphasize.