bad effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'bad effort' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
An example sentence could be: "He put in a bad effort trying to complete the task on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Sport

Music

General discussions

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Not a bad effort.

The Guardian - Sport

Not a bad effort, really.

The Guardian - Sport

Not a bad effort otherwise, though.

The Guardian - Music

It was just a pretty bad effort".

The Guardian - Sport

It was a bad game, a bad effort.

The New York Times - Sports

Not a bad effort for someone who wasn't hitting the seam as regularly as he wanted.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

The best thing the army can do is pull out and get some negotiators in here and try to settle this thing before it really gets bad". Efforts to defeat the group militarily have not gone well, and it has managed to carry out several audacious attacks on oil facilities.

The New York Times

After the victory over Los Angeles on Thursday, Jordan let it be known he would not accept a bad-effort night against Chicago and joked "I may send in my resignationif the Bulls won".

The New York Times - Sports

Scotland's dismal record since his departure suggests getting the side to the Euro 2004 play-offs wasn't that bad an effort after all (even if he did begin the qualifying campaign with a draw in Torshavn).

The Guardian - Sport

(He has a previous album, "Prelude," recorded in a hurry for the Fresh Sound New Talent label. It's not at all a bad first effort, but he seems embarrassed by it now).

The New York Times - Arts

Washington's director of central intelligence, George J. Tenet, sought Israeli and Palestinian approval of a formal cease-fire plan today as the two sides rancorously accused each other of making a bad faith effort to pursue a truce.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bad effort" to describe a situation where someone's attempt or performance was notably inadequate or unsuccessful. Be direct and clear about the deficiency without being overly harsh.

Common error

Avoid using "bad effort" when you mean "lack of effort". "Bad effort" implies that some attempt was made, but it was poor. "Lack of effort" indicates that little or no attempt was made at all.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad effort" functions as a descriptive term, modifying a noun (usually implied or stated). According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

35%

Music

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bad effort" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an attempt or performance that falls short of expectations. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various sources. While it's versatile, it's crucial to distinguish "bad effort" from "lack of effort". Alternatives such as "poor attempt" or "weak performance" can offer softer criticism. Primarily found in News & Media and Sports contexts, "bad effort" serves to express dissatisfaction with the quality or outcome of an action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poor attempt

Focuses more on the act of trying and its inadequacy.

failed endeavor

Emphasizes the lack of success in a more formal tone.

unsatisfactory attempt

Highlights the failure to meet expectations.

weak performance

Focuses on the quality of the execution or result.

lousy job

Uses a more informal term to describe a substandard piece of work.

subpar performance

Emphasizes that the performance was below the expected standard.

deficient undertaking

Highlights a lack of something essential or important.

inadequate work

Focuses on the work completed being insufficient or not good enough.

feeble attempt

Stresses the lack of strength or effectiveness in the effort.

unsuccessful try

Simply states that the attempt did not achieve the desired outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "bad effort" to describe someone's attempt, performance, or work. For example, "His presentation was a "bad effort" because he didn't prepare properly".

What's a less direct way to say "bad effort"?

If you want to be less blunt, you could use phrases like "poor attempt" or "weak performance", which soften the criticism.

Is it better to say "bad effort" or "no effort"?

It depends on the situation. "Bad effort" implies some attempt was made, albeit poorly. "No effort" means there was a complete lack of trying. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the situation.

What are some synonyms for "bad effort"?

Synonyms for "bad effort" include "failed endeavor", "lousy job", or "unsatisfactory attempt". The best choice depends on the specific context and tone you want to convey.