commendable effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"commendable effort" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone has gone above and beyond what is expected. For example, "John's commendable effort on the project was the key to its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

As for food, Barley Vine makes a commendable effort at keeping its prices affordable.

The New York Times

Yale University's Environmental Sustainability Index is certainly a commendable effort but is too complicated.

The Economist

It's a commendable effort by Miliband to normalize new-media engagements in his public diplomacy.

The New Yorker

The Carupano carnival parade is a commendable effort, if slightly amateur in execution.

The Guardian - Travel

The Resonance staging at the Clurman Theater is a commendable effort, but it achieves mixed results.

The New York Times

The city's version displays Mayor Bloomberg's commendable effort to keep Coney Island from being overwhelmed by oceanfront condominiums.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Despite commendable efforts by the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Nauru, arrangements in both countries have proved completely untenable.

The Guardian

Even more concerning, a report by the UK-based EnvironmenthatINorwaygatisn Agency (EIA) reveals that Norway is profiting from West Papua's plantation boom, in spite of its commendable efforts through Redd+.

The Guardian

An April 24 front-page article about labor conditions in El Salvador tells of the commendable efforts by Gap Inc. to improve conditions in one large plant.

The New York Times

The paradox of dramatising mental chaos is that it requires great narrative discipline, and for all Mullan's commendable efforts, The Fear was a sorry mess.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Suleiman Braimoh, Liberia representative for the UN children's agency, Unicef, says a number of commendable efforts across Liberia are focusing on promoting registration and retention in schools.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "commendable effort" with specific details to amplify the acknowledgment, making it more impactful. For example, "Her commendable effort in securing the grant has made our program expansion possible."

Common error

While versatile, "commendable effort" can sound repetitive if used excessively in formal reports. Vary your language with synonyms like "admirable attempt" or "praiseworthy undertaking" /s/praiseworthy+undertaking to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commendable effort" functions as an expression of praise and approval for a particular attempt or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and readily usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "commendable effort" is a versatile and commonly used phrase for expressing approval and appreciation. It's grammatically correct, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's particularly effective for recognizing the value of an attempt, even if the ultimate goal wasn't completely achieved. While highly useful, writers should vary their language with synonyms like "admirable attempt" or "praiseworthy undertaking" to prevent overuse, especially in formal settings. Occurring most frequently in News & Media, and backed by authoritative sources like The New York Times, "commendable effort" serves as a valuable tool in expressing acknowledgment and encouragement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

admirable attempt

Replaces "effort" with "attempt", slightly altering the focus to the act of trying.

laudable endeavor

Substitutes both words with more formal synonyms, increasing the formality level.

praiseworthy undertaking

Similar to "laudable endeavor" but uses different synonyms to convey the same sentiment.

noteworthy initiative

Shifts the focus to the proactive nature of the effort, implying a beginning or start of something new.

remarkable feat

Emphasizes the achievement aspect of the effort, highlighting its impressiveness.

creditable performance

Focuses on the execution and delivery of the effort, suitable in contexts where a performance is being evaluated.

deserving attempt

Highlights that the attempt is worthy of praise or recognition.

meritorious action

Implies that the action is worthy of reward or honor, increasing the level of approval.

sterling work

An idiomatic alternative, suggesting high quality and excellence in the effort.

valiant try

Emphasizes the courage and determination behind the effort, suitable when facing significant challenges.

FAQs

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

You can use "commendable effort" to praise someone's attempt, like: "The team's commendable effort led to a significant improvement in efficiency."

What are some alternatives to "commendable effort"?

Alternatives include "admirable attempt", "laudable endeavor", or "praiseworthy undertaking", depending on the level of formality and specific context.

Is "commendable effort" formal or informal?

"Commendable effort" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but using synonyms like "praiseworthy undertaking" can increase the formality, while something like "good try" would be more informal.

What does "commendable effort" emphasize?

"Commendable effort" emphasizes that the effort itself is worthy of praise, even if the final result wasn't perfect. It values the attempt and dedication involved.