dropping efforts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dropping efforts" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where someone is ceasing to put in effort towards a task or goal, but it is not commonly used. Example: "After months of trying to fix the issue, I decided to start dropping efforts and focus on other projects."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Senate Republicans have insisted on dropping efforts to dismantle the law.

The New York Times

By dropping efforts to acquire outstanding shares of the British Sky Broadcasting Group, Rupert Murdoch is trying to quell the political uproar that threatens his empire.

The New York Times

BEN PROTESS ON VIDEO By dropping efforts to acquire outstanding shares of the British Sky Broadcasting Group, Rupert Murdoch is trying to quell the political uproar that threatens his empire.

The New York Times

The City Council speaker, Peter Vallone, has suggested that the mayor take such steps as dropping efforts to block creation of a civilian oversight board for the Police Department.

The New York Times

Bear Stearns shareholders suing over the planned JPMorgan Chase takeover are dropping efforts to block the deal but will seek damages of at least $2.8 billion, an attorney for the plaintiffs said on Wednesday.

The New York Times

But it has not shipped the cheaper drug yet, and the company's representatives in Kenya recently declined to say whether Glaxo Wellcome wanted any quid pro quo from African countries -- such as dropping efforts to pass patent-seizure laws, as Kenya is considering.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It would also drop efforts to recover the money it spent for sending prisoners away.

The New York Times

Both companies also will drop efforts to invalidate the other's patents.

The New York Times

A federal judge forced Republicans on Long Island to drop efforts to remove Steve Forbes from the New York State primary ballot.

The New York Times

Northstar, which is based in Seattle, said it would drop efforts to have the therapy approved by regulators.

The New York Times

Critics say the companies are trying to persuade state governments to drop efforts to demand lower drug prices.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a strategic shift in a project or campaign, use "dropping efforts" to indicate a conscious decision to cease certain activities for a specific reason. This highlights the intentional nature of the change.

Common error

Avoid phrasing like "Efforts were dropped," which can obscure who made the decision and why. Instead, use active voice: "The company dropped efforts" to clearly indicate agency and intent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dropping efforts" functions as a verb phrase, typically serving as the predicate of a sentence. It indicates the action of ceasing or abandoning attempts to achieve a particular goal. Ludwig AI states the phrase could cause confusion and is not commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dropping efforts" is a verb phrase indicating the cessation of attempts towards a goal. Ludwig AI states the phrase could cause confusion and is not commonly used. While grammatically acceptable, it's more frequently found in news and general contexts. More formal alternatives include "ceasing attempts" or "abandoning endeavors". When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who is dropping the efforts and why, avoiding passive voice. Remember that choosing this phrase clearly signals a complete stop, not just a reduction, in activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ceasing attempts

Emphasizes a complete halt to trying.

abandoning endeavors

Highlights the act of giving up on something significant.

relinquishing pursuits

Suggests a formal or strategic withdrawal.

halting operations

Focuses on stopping a specific set of activities.

suspending activities

Indicates a temporary pause rather than a complete stop.

discontinuing work

Highlights the termination of effort on a particular project.

ending initiatives

Emphasizes the termination of planned actions.

shelving plans

Suggests putting plans aside, possibly for later reconsideration.

backing off from initiatives

Implies a retreat from previously aggressive actions.

withdrawing from campaigns

Specifically refers to stopping organized efforts.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "dropping efforts" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "ceasing attempts", "abandoning endeavors", or "relinquishing pursuits" depending on the context.

Is "dropping efforts" the same as "reducing efforts"?

Not exactly. "Dropping efforts" implies a complete cessation of specific activities, while "reducing efforts" suggests a decrease in the intensity or scope of those activities. Therefore "dropping efforts" is much more abrupt.

What does it mean when someone says they are "dropping efforts" in a negotiation?

In a negotiation, "dropping efforts" typically means that one party is ceasing to actively pursue a particular demand or strategy, often as a concession or in recognition that it is unlikely to succeed.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "dropping efforts"?

Use "dropping efforts" when you want to clearly communicate that a specific attempt or initiative has been completely discontinued, often due to strategic reasons, lack of success, or a change in priorities.