clear effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clear effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a noticeable or evident attempt made towards achieving something. Example: "The team made a clear effort to improve communication and collaboration among members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is also a clear effort to put his opponent, Vice President Al Gore, to shame.

The New York Times

In Tuesday's forum she made no clear effort to compare herself favorably with Mr. Schrock.

The New York Times

No other institution in a position to do so has made a clear effort to address this lack.

Harvard University

So is his recent cozying up to Iran's repressive government — a clear effort to spite his American critics.

The New York Times

On Thursday, the two will meet at the White House in a clear effort to bring Bernie into the fold.

The Guardian

Airlines have cut the commissions of travel agents in half in a clear effort to eliminate their former business partners.

The New York Times

Mr. Bush's comments today, as the nation continued to bomb Afghanistan, were a clear effort to revive it.

The New York Times

Civil rights lawyers claimed it reflected a clear effort on the part of the Police Department to stymie public access.

The New York Times

It was a clear effort to spread the wealth and use her position to elevate the name recognition of smaller designers," Friedman says.

Princeton University

The moves are a clear effort on the part of Germany to challenge China's dominant position in production of the metals.

The New York Times

In what seemed a clear effort to sidestep the mistakes of postwar Iraq, there was no rush to send foreign troops to Libya.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "clear effort" when you want to show that you understand that there was a visible attempt to complete something, even though it may not have succeeded

Common error

Avoid using "clear effort" to imply guaranteed success. It describes the visibility of the attempt, not necessarily its outcome. For example, instead of saying "The project was a clear effort, resulting in success", consider "The team made a "clear effort", and the project succeeded."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear effort" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It signifies a visible and easily discernible attempt to achieve a goal. Ludwig examples show its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clear effort" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a noticeable attempt or endeavor. As indicated by Ludwig, it is employed across diverse contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Academic settings. Its purpose is to highlight and acknowledge visible attempts, irrespective of their outcomes. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, careful consideration should be given to the specific context to ensure appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obvious attempt

Focuses on the readily noticeable nature of the attempt.

evident endeavor

Emphasizes the serious and determined nature of the attempt.

apparent exertion

Highlights the energy and effort put into the attempt.

noticeable striving

Stresses the ambition and struggle involved in the effort.

manifest attempt

Highlights the clear and unmistakable nature of the attempt.

unmistakable endeavor

Focuses on the certainty that an effort was made.

demonstrable striving

Highlights the ability to show or prove the effort.

plain attempt

Emphasizes the simplicity and straightforwardness of the attempt.

discernible endeavor

Highlights the ability to perceive or recognize the effort.

pronounced attempt

Stresses the distinct or emphatic nature of the attempt.

FAQs

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

You can use "clear effort" to describe a noticeable attempt made towards achieving something. For example: "There was a "clear effort" to improve communication within the team".

What are some alternatives to "clear effort"?

Alternatives include "obvious attempt", "evident endeavor", or "noticeable striving", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. See the "related phrases" section for more options.

Is it better to say "clear effort" or "determined effort"?

"Clear effort" emphasizes the visibility and obviousness of the attempt, while "determined effort" highlights the resolve and persistence behind it. The better choice depends on which aspect you want to emphasize. For example: "While it was not a "clear effort", their determined effort ensured the task was completed".

What does it mean when someone says there was a "clear effort"?

It means that there was a readily apparent and noticeable attempt made to accomplish something. The focus is on the visibility and intention behind the action, rather than necessarily the success of the action itself.