a worthy effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"a worthy effort" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to praise someone who has worked hard and achieved something, or to express appreciation for a difficult task or challenge that someone has tried to complete. For example: "The whole team worked hard on the project, and their 'worthy effort' was rewarded with a successful outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

It's a worthy effort, but not enough.

The New York Times

Amid the daily cacophony, that seems a worthy effort.

The New York Times

"I believe the president's plan is a worthy effort.

The Guardian

By many accounts he has followed up with a worthy effort in Source Code.

The Guardian - Film

Still, it is a worthy effort as the losers and losses pile up.

The New York Times

Still, it will be a worthy effort, supporters of the trail said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

However, the problem lies in how they "learn" what is an A-worthy effort.

University of California, Berkeley

"We thought it only right to follow with a worthy campaign advertising effort".

The New York Times

The journal editor-in-chief (Kammen) waived the submission fee because he knew it was a tribute, a volunteer effort, and a worthy cause, and as one of the many people whom Art Rosenfeld has mentored, joined the paper as a co-author in tribute to Dr. Rosenfeld's career.

Huffington Post

In his next film, "Viva Zapata," a socially worthy effort (directed by Kazan) about an idealistic revolutionary, he virtually disappeared behind heavy "Mexican" makeup and a matching accent.

The New Yorker

Was ever such a fuss made over an honest, worthy effort?

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a worthy effort" when you want to acknowledge someone's hard work and dedication, even if the outcome wasn't entirely successful. It acknowledges the value of the attempt itself.

Common error

Avoid using "a worthy effort" as a generic compliment. Provide specific details about what made the effort commendable. For instance, instead of simply stating "That's a worthy effort", elaborate: "That's a worthy effort, especially considering the limited resources you had."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a worthy effort" functions as a noun phrase that complements a verb, often 'is' or 'was'. It serves to characterize an action or endeavor as commendable or deserving of recognition. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

14%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a worthy effort" is a commonly used phrase that expresses acknowledgment and appreciation for someone's hard work and dedication, irrespective of the final outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appropriate across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While its source quality is high, it's essential to use it with context, providing specific details to enhance its meaning and avoid generic usage. Alternatives such as "a commendable endeavor" or "a laudable attempt" can be used for variety, but the core message remains consistent: recognizing and valuing the effort put forth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a commendable endeavor

Focuses on the praiseworthiness of the undertaking.

a laudable attempt

Highlights the praiseworthy nature of the attempt.

a valuable contribution

Emphasizes the positive impact of the effort.

a significant undertaking

Stresses the importance and scale of the endeavor.

an admirable feat

Highlights the skill and achievement involved.

a respectable performance

Focuses on the quality and manner of the execution.

a notable achievement

Emphasizes the significance of the accomplishment.

an honest try

Highlights sincerity and genuineness of the attempt.

a spirited attempt

Emphasizes the enthusiasm and energy put into the attempt.

a game attempt

Emphasizes courage and resilience in the face of difficulty.

FAQs

What does "a worthy effort" mean?

It means that someone has put in considerable effort and dedication into something, even if the outcome isn't perfect. It acknowledges the value and merit of the attempt itself.

How to use "a worthy effort" in a sentence?

You can use it to praise someone's attempt or acknowledge their hard work. For example, "Despite the challenges, their attempt to solve the problem was "a worthy effort"."

What can I say instead of "a worthy effort"?

You can use alternatives like "a commendable endeavor", "a laudable attempt", or "a valuable contribution" depending on the context.

Is it always positive to describe something as "a worthy effort"?

Generally, yes. However, sometimes it can be used to soften criticism, implying that although the effort was appreciated, the results were lacking. The context is important.