a willful effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"a willful effort" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a determined, intentional attempt, usually when someone is striving to achieve something. For example: "The student made a willful effort to finish the difficult math problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"It was a willful effort by some company executives to mislead investors and potential buyers," Ms. Whitman said.

The New York Times

Whether that's a result of inadequate education or evidence of a willful effort to get attention, I'm not sure.

The New Yorker

He concluded that "a willful effort" had been involved in the error, rejected the claim of the putative winner, and installed Gamza on the school board.

The New Yorker

We believe we have uncovered extensive evidence of a willful effort on behalf of certain former Autonomy employees to inflate the underlying financial metrics of the company in order to mislead investors and potential buyers.

The New York Times

But the April 2006 letter, which had not been previously disclosed, showed they accused development officials of approving the hiring of Galt not in an unwitting oversight but in a willful effort to bypass their warnings.

The New York Times

But what finally torched the Cyclones, broke what had been a willful effort and left them in tears after the game, was Cleaves's alley-oop pass from the top of the key to a body soaring above the baseline.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

We don't want to push past it into a realm of willful effort, a path to injury and frustration and we don't want to pull away from it, a path to stagnancy.

Huffington Post

The celebration was a willful attempt at disregarding such questions.

The Guardian

A thing that requires willful effort, day after day, until we can withstand things that we otherwise would not.

Huffington Post

ALEXANDER: This is a report issued by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in 2012 in support of the reauthorization of the 2008 amendments to FISA, and I quote, "Through four years of oversight, the committee has not identified a single case in which a government official engaged in willful effort to circumvent or violate the law".

Huffington Post

But also possible is that Vasubandhu here allows for a small degree of genuine optionality in the moment here translated as "willful effort" (cetanā), and an accumulation of such moments might produce meaningful change, as claimed by Gold (2015).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a willful effort" to emphasize a conscious and intentional action, particularly when highlighting someone's determination to overcome obstacles or achieve a specific goal.

Common error

Avoid using "willful" in overly casual or informal settings, as it can sound overly formal or even accusatory. In such cases, consider substituting it with words like "determined" or "intentional".

Linguistic Context

A willful effort functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, indicating its role in describing a determined and intentional action. Examples show it describing attempts to mislead, bypass warnings, or inflate financial metrics.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a willful effort" is a grammatically correct phrase that describes a determined and intentional action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly found in news and media contexts, as well as science. While it's suitable for formal writing, it should be used judiciously in informal settings. Alternatives like "a determined attempt" or "a conscious effort" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using this phrase, ensure you are emphasizing the deliberate and purposeful nature of the action being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a determined attempt

Replaces "willful" with "determined", focusing on the resoluteness of the effort.

a conscious attempt

Substitutes "willful" with "conscious", highlighting awareness and intentionality.

a deliberate endeavor

Replaces both "willful" and "effort" with synonyms emphasizing intention and purpose.

an intentional undertaking

Similar to "deliberate endeavor", it uses different wording to convey planned action.

a purposeful striving

Emphasizes the goal-oriented nature of the effort, highlighting the act of striving.

a resolute push

Uses "resolute" to underscore the firmness and determination behind the action.

a steadfast exertion

Highlights the unwavering and vigorous nature of the effort.

a planned initiative

Focuses on the proactive and structured aspect of the effort.

a calculated move

Suggests a strategic and carefully considered approach.

an ambitious project

Shifts the focus to the scale and aspirational nature of the effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "a willful effort" to describe a determined and intentional attempt to achieve something. For example, "She made "a willful effort" to learn a new language".

What phrases are similar to "a willful effort"?

Similar phrases include "a determined attempt", "a conscious attempt", or "a deliberate endeavor", which all convey a sense of intention and purpose.

Is "a willful effort" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "a willful effort" is suitable for formal writing. It effectively conveys a sense of determined intention. However, be mindful of the context and ensure it aligns with the overall tone.

What's the difference between "a conscious effort" and "a willful effort"?

"A conscious effort" implies awareness and intention, while "a willful effort" adds a layer of determination and resolve. The latter suggests a stronger commitment to achieving the goal.