an ongoing effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"an ongoing effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe any kind of sustained activity or work. For example: "John and his team have made an ongoing effort to increase sales in the past three months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"This is part of an ongoing effort".

The New York Times

"It only complements an ongoing effort.

The New York Times - Arts

"But lobbying will be an ongoing effort".

The New York Times

"There has been an ongoing effort for more than 10 years.

The Guardian

"Working on my mechanics is an ongoing effort for -- I can't say perfection," Stanton said.

The New York Times - Sports

Today's case is part of an ongoing effort to lower the wall between church and state.

The New York Times

Rojas explained that she had got rid of it, part of an ongoing effort to declutter.

The New Yorker

"There's an ongoing effort to make something political out of this," he said.

The New York Times

Is there an ongoing effort to bring more regional cinema to the fore?

The New York Times

The third priority is an ongoing effort to reduce the sugar, fat and salt in processed food.

The Guardian

And it's all it is: an ongoing effort to distract attention away from the substance of the revelations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an ongoing effort", ensure that the context clearly indicates the goal or objective towards which the effort is directed. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "an ongoing effort" without specifying what the effort is trying to achieve. Vague references can diminish the impact and relevance of the statement. Always provide enough context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an ongoing effort" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a continuous activity or endeavor. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an ongoing effort" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe a continuous or sustained activity directed towards a particular goal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Its prevalence in diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business, indicates its wide acceptance and applicability. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide clear context to avoid ambiguity and enhance the impact of the statement. Alternatives such as "a continuing endeavor" or "a sustained campaign" can be used to add nuance or specificity. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, writers can effectively leverage this phrase to convey commitment, persistence, and continuous improvement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a continuing endeavor

Replaces 'effort' with 'endeavor', implying a serious and determined attempt to achieve something.

a sustained campaign

Substitutes 'effort' with 'campaign', suggesting a planned set of activities over a period to achieve a specific aim.

a persistent attempt

Uses 'attempt' instead of 'effort', highlighting the act of trying to achieve something, and 'persistent' emphasizes determination despite difficulty.

a continuous process

Replaces 'effort' with 'process', focusing on the series of actions or steps taken to achieve a particular outcome.

a relentless pursuit

Substitutes 'effort' with 'pursuit', indicating an attempt to achieve something, combined with 'relentless' to stress determination and persistence.

a constant struggle

Uses 'struggle' in place of 'effort', emphasizing the difficulty and challenges involved in the ongoing activity.

a never-ending task

Replaces 'effort' with 'task', referring to a piece of work to be done, and 'never-ending' stresses its continuous nature.

a standing commitment

Implies an obligation or promise to continue supporting or working on something.

a regular practice

Focuses on the routine and habitual aspect of the activity.

a standing order

Changes the dynamic to something with even more longevity, often used for something automatically reoccuring.

FAQs

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

You can use "an ongoing effort" to describe a continuous activity aimed at achieving a particular goal. For example, "The company's commitment to sustainability is "an ongoing effort" involving various initiatives".

What are some alternatives to "an ongoing effort"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a continuing endeavor", "a sustained campaign", or "a persistent attempt", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a ongoing effort" instead of "an ongoing effort"?

No, it is not correct. The correct phrasing is "an ongoing effort" because "ongoing" begins with a vowel sound, requiring the indefinite article "an" instead of "a".

What's the difference between "an ongoing effort" and "a one-time attempt"?

"An ongoing effort" implies a continuous or repeated activity, while "a one-time attempt" suggests a single, isolated action. The former indicates persistence, while the latter indicates a lack of continuity.