an earnest effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"an earnest effort" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's sincere attempts to do something. For example, "John made an earnest effort to learn the new software, but it was still too difficult for him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Although Cassandra Kubinski's Mirette is an earnest effort, the earnestness and the effort are all too visible.

The New York Times

And this is an earnest effort.

The New York Times

It was an earnest effort at poor rationalizing by Byrd.

The New York Times - Sports

The founders made an earnest effort to keep religion out of politics.

The New York Times

Are lap dances more sanctified than an earnest effort to promote peace?

The New York Times

Durbano defended Chicora's project as an earnest effort to improve a run-down building.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Their collective effort is an earnest attempt to revive the sound of early Hip Hop, a styled once termed "Boom Bap" by KRS-ONE for the classic old school rhythm comprised of a booming bass line, complimented by a bumping cymbal/snare sound.

Huffington Post

"How disgusting is that?" But to Ms. Greenwald, the decision to keep the remains underground represented an equally earnest effort to fulfill a longstanding promise to other families who had sought, above all, to ensure that the remains stayed at bedrock.

The New York Times - Arts

"For a very cynical world, this is a very earnest effort," said Ms. Zalaznick, who heads the NBC Universal Green Council.

The New York Times

While students in Tokyo protested their nation's alliance with Washington, the Play took a lighter view of Japanese-American connections in their early "Voyage: Happening in an Egg" (1968) — an absurd but earnest effort to release a giant fiberglass egg on the waves of the Pacific Ocean and to steer it to the American west coast.

The New York Times - Arts

And while Ms. Shorter described the meetings as "a very earnest effort to gather input and ideas," there also seemed to be a wariness in the room.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "an earnest effort" with specific verbs to show commitment. For example, "make an earnest effort", "demonstrate an earnest effort", or "put forth an earnest effort".

Common error

While "an earnest effort" is a useful phrase, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "sincere attempt" or "determined endeavor" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an earnest effort" functions as a noun phrase, where "earnest" modifies the noun "effort". It describes the quality or nature of the effort being made. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

13%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an earnest effort" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a sincere and dedicated attempt. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is appropriate for various contexts, including news, business, and academic writing, though primarily found in journalistic and formal communications. The phrase underscores a commitment and good intention, even if success is not guaranteed. To avoid overuse, synonyms such as "a sincere attempt" or "a determined endeavor" can be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sincere attempt

Replaces "earnest effort" with a more straightforward expression of sincerity and trying.

a determined endeavor

Highlights the resoluteness and perseverance involved in the effort.

a conscientious endeavor

Emphasizes the thoroughness and care taken in the effort.

a heartfelt attempt

Focuses on the emotional investment and sincerity behind the attempt.

a genuine endeavor

Replaces "earnest" with "genuine", conveying authenticity and sincerity.

a spirited attempt

Highlights the enthusiasm and energy put into the attempt.

a vigorous endeavor

Focuses on the intensity and forcefulness of the effort.

a zealous attempt

Implies a passionate and fervent approach to the attempt.

a diligent attempt

Highlights the persistence and hard work involved.

a painstaking endeavor

Emphasizes the meticulousness and attention to detail in the effort.

FAQs

How can I use "an earnest effort" in a sentence?

You can use "an earnest effort" to describe someone's sincere attempts to do something. For example, "The company made "an earnest effort" to reduce its carbon footprint."

What are some alternatives to "an earnest effort"?

You can use alternatives like "a sincere attempt", "a determined endeavor", or "a conscientious endeavor" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "an earnest effort" or "a strong effort"?

While both phrases are acceptable, "an earnest effort" emphasizes sincerity and genuine intent, while "a strong effort" highlights the intensity and forcefulness of the attempt. The best choice depends on the context.

Can "an earnest effort" guarantee success?

No, "an earnest effort" does not guarantee success, but it indicates a sincere and dedicated attempt, which is a positive quality regardless of the outcome. It shows commitment and good faith.