by dint of effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by dint of effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that something has been achieved through hard work or perseverance. Example: "She succeeded by dint of effort, overcoming numerous obstacles along the way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Traditionalists like myself would concur with Hans that there is "more to batting than the issue of scoring runs", and that it is "a singular opportunity to face down, by dint of effort and skill and self-mastery, the variable world".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It would take five more years to understand the spurious signals and retrieve the gravity data by dint of an effort that Dr. Will called "nothing less than heroic".

The New York Times - Science

For two years after the diagnosis, by dint of unimaginable effort, he kept up his output of journalism: two pieces of writing a week for the Independent.

The Guardian - Books

Both have also tried to pitch themselves as the natural successor to Randall, who by dint of considerable effort held the swing seat for 14 years.

The Guardian

As a rule of thumb, it might be said that what NT's do intuitively, autistics can accomplish only by dint of great effort, if at all -- and vice versa.

The New York Times

"They had got their hands on a mighty continent from which the least of them could, by dint of some effort, extract unlimited wealth," Olivier says in a typically close approximation of Tocqueville.

The Washington Post

A yes answer to this question requires that it be understood how, by dint of sufficient effort, one could reliably compute to higher order in either alpha or 1/E.

Duke University

A hero surpasses the famous by dint of extraordinary effort and extraordinary achievement.

HuffPost

They are mental energies that move us and by dint of our efforts, the world at large, to a better place.

Huffington Post

The authorities have kept the plates spinning by dint of an enormous effort and some unprecedented monetary measures.

The Economist

They are beginning to see their countries not as victims but as emerging markets, capable by dint of their own efforts of profiting from the freer flow of trade in the global economy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by dint of effort" to highlight that success was achieved not just through luck or talent, but through sustained hard work and determination. It adds a layer of depth, emphasizing the subject's agency and perseverance.

Common error

Avoid using "by dint of effort" when describing situations where success was primarily due to external factors, such as luck or privilege. The phrase emphasizes internal qualities and hard work as the main drivers of achievement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by dint of effort" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. Ludwig AI confirms it describes how an action is accomplished, emphasizing the means or method involved, particularly through hard work or exertion, similar to the example provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by dint of effort" is used to express that something has been achieved through hard work and perseverance. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is considered formal and is most frequently found in news and media, encyclopedias and academic contexts. While relatively rare, it provides a nuanced way to emphasize the role of dedicated work in achieving success. Alternative phrases include "through hard work" and "through sheer determination". It is important to use the phrase when internal qualities and hard work are the main drivers of achievement and avoid using it if the success was due to luck or privilege.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through hard work

Focuses directly on the labor involved, omitting the nuanced emphasis on inherent qualities that "by dint of effort" includes.

through sheer determination

Highlights resolve and persistence, possibly overshadowing the skill or ability implied by "by dint of effort".

by virtue of hard work

Similar, but "by virtue of" suggests inherent quality rather than acquired skill, altering the emphasis slightly.

as a result of effort

A more straightforward expression of cause and effect, lacking the subtle implication of inherent capacity.

owing to hard work

Similar to "as a result of effort", but slightly more formal and emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship.

through force of labor

Emphasizes the physical exertion, which may not always be the primary focus of "by dint of effort".

by means of striving

Focuses on the act of striving, potentially overlooking the skill or inherent ability aspects.

with persistent endeavor

Emphasizes persistence and dedication, but might downplay other contributing factors like skill or talent.

through application of skill

Focuses on skill, potentially neglecting the effort involved, creating a different emphasis.

by expending energy

Highlights the energy expenditure, potentially lacking the implication of inherent capacity or skill found in "by dint of effort".

FAQs

How can I use "by dint of effort" in a sentence?

Use "by dint of effort" to indicate that someone achieved something through hard work and determination. For example: "She succeeded "by dint of effort", overcoming numerous obstacles."

What are some alternatives to "by dint of effort"?

You can use alternatives like "through hard work", "through sheer determination", or "by virtue of hard work" depending on the specific context you wish to emphasize.

What does "by dint of" actually mean?

"By dint of" means "by means of" or "because of". It suggests that something is achieved as a result of a particular quality or action.

Is "by dint of effort" formal or informal?

"By dint of effort" is generally considered a more formal expression. In less formal contexts, phrases like "through hard work" might be more appropriate.