cumulative effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"cumulative effort" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to the combined or total effort put in by multiple individuals or groups towards a common goal. You can use it whenever you want to highlight the collaborative or collective effort that has been put in to achieve something. Example: The success of the project was a result of the cumulative effort of all team members who worked tirelessly towards its completion.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"It's a constant, cumulative effort on this front to find savings and find reductions".

The New York Times

Dr. Hales estimates that it will take 20 years of cumulative effort by a team of mathematicians to complete.

The New York Times - Science

"The problem with the Tour is that it is the second race and there is a cumulative effort after the Giro.

The Guardian - Sport

In one of the cases, a three-member tribunal recently ruled unanimously that the Russian government had indeed stolen Yukos's assets, using phony tax claims and other methods that were so out of line they could only be viewed as "part of a cumulative effort to prevent Yukos's ongoing existence".

The New York Times

The presence of foreigners with diverse backgrounds in a labor market may serve to enrich this cumulative effort.

IZA Journal of Migration

This cumulative effort proved to be the boost needed to reverse the downward spiral.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Case dismissed — thanks to the cumulative efforts of no fewer than six people.

The New York Times

Buford's reading of the films relies too much on second-hand opinion, but in the long run her cumulative efforts prove a match for her elusive subject.

The Guardian - Books

As such, the remaining sample is a subset of the original respondents, and its size and representativeness are the result of the cumulative efforts that take place in different stages of the panel study (Callegaro and Disogra 2008; Disogra and Callegaro 2010).

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Real change comes not from actions of one leader, but from the cumulative efforts of a united force.

Vice

Our cumulative efforts will make a significant difference in the lives of millions of Americans struggling with mental illness and/or homelessness.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cumulative effort" to emphasize the importance of consistent, sustained action over time. For example, "The project's success relied on the cumulative effort of the team."

Common error

Avoid using "cumulative effort" when describing a single, isolated action. The phrase implies an ongoing or repeated investment of effort. Instead, use "significant effort" or "dedicated work" to highlight intense individual work.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cumulative effort" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it denotes the combined effect of actions taken consistently over time. For example, "This cumulative effort proved to be the boost needed to reverse the downward spiral."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cumulative effort" is a useful phrase for emphasizing the value of sustained and consistent action over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and generally well-received. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, suggesting a broad applicability across various domains. While not exceedingly common, it provides a concise way to describe how progress results from the accumulation of individual efforts. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects an ongoing process rather than a singular event to avoid misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collective endeavor

Focuses on the group aspect of effort rather than the accumulation.

combined exertion

Highlights the physical or mental energy expended jointly.

accumulated work

Emphasizes the result of work done over time.

joint undertaking

Stresses the shared responsibility and effort involved.

concerted action

Implies a planned and coordinated effort.

synergistic effect

Highlights the amplified impact of combined efforts.

progressive accumulation of work

Focuses on the gradual increase in work completed.

aggregate contribution

Highlights the individual contributions that together create an impact.

integrated approach

Emphasizes the coordination of distinct efforts that come together to form a whole.

sum total of energy

Focuses on how the energy spent can generate important results.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "cumulative effort" in a sentence?

Use "cumulative effort" to emphasize how consistent and sustained actions contribute to a larger goal. For instance, "The company's growth is attributed to the "cumulative effort" of its employees over many years".

What are some alternatives to "cumulative effort" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "collective endeavor", "combined exertion", or "accumulated work" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "cumulative effort" appropriate for describing a one-time action?

No, "cumulative effort" is not suitable for describing a single action. It implies a series of actions or sustained exertion over time. Instead, consider using phrases like "substantial effort" or "significant endeavor".

What's the difference between "cumulative effort" and "single effort"?

"Cumulative effort" refers to the combined effect of many actions over a period, while "single effort" refers to a one-time action. For example, a marathon runner's performance is the result of "cumulative effort" in training, not just a "single effort" on race day.