duplicate effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "duplicate effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to an action or effort that has already been done, and which is being repeated, often unnecessarily. For example, "There's no need to duplicate effort - the job has already been completed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"If different international development actors fail to collaborate, then the risk is that we miss opportunities, pull in different directions, duplicate effort – and waste good will and energy.

The Guardian

When two different groups came up with almost identical apps, one person joked, "No political hackathon would be complete without duplicate effort!" When a video-game demo failed to load, its creators received a particularly supportive round of applause.

The New Yorker

We regularly see the opportunity for significant savings, especially in some larger institutions where 'rival' departments often duplicate effort or commission bespoke development work that could be done with readily available open source or existing commercial products.

The Guardian

They all duplicate effort is the early stages of drug discovery which are considered pre-competitive and non-differentiating.

Journal of Cloud Computing: Advances, Systems and Applications

In thinking about your panel, keep in mind the composition of panels from previous career fairs at your institution and from other local career fairs, so as not to duplicate effort.

Science Magazine

More collaboration and co-ordination across MLs would reduce duplicate effort and stop confusion of external stakeholders The lack of national policy or plan leads to 61 variations with little demonstrative health outcomes for consumers.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

More transparency about drug development would help ensure researchers don't duplicate efforts, she says.

The Guardian

The GAO also found that labs could duplicate efforts and waste taxpayer money without coordinated government oversight.

The Guardian

"We are looking at places where there are duplicate efforts," Mr. Stutzman said, adding that Mr. Schwarzenegger had no plans to eliminate the agency.

The New York Times

Electronic publications also provide a basis for efficient management of scientific knowledge discovering related work, reduction of the duplicate efforts, establishment of virtual research teams etc.

Automation in Construction

The new constraints on animal transport could hinder research and force institutions to duplicate efforts, including breeding more animals, warns a statement released today by academic funders, including the Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust, and Association of Medical Research Charities.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When managing projects, proactively identify potential areas of overlap to avoid "duplicate effort" and maximize resource efficiency.

Common error

Before assigning tasks, ensure that the work hasn't already been done or isn't currently underway by another team member. This simple check can prevent "duplicate effort" and save valuable time and resources.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "duplicate effort" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It describes a situation where resources are wasted because the same task is being performed more than once, often without coordination. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is generally considered correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "duplicate effort" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe redundant or overlapping work that leads to inefficiency. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears across diverse contexts, including science, news, and business. To avoid "duplicate effort", it's best practice to promote team communication and planning. Remember the term usually carries a negative connotation, highlighting wastefulness. For alternative phrasing, consider "redundant work", "overlapping work", or "unnecessary duplication" to effectively convey your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

redundant work

Highlights the unnecessary repetition of tasks.

overlapping work

Emphasizes that the same work is being done simultaneously by different parties.

wasted effort

Focuses on the lack of value derived from the repeated work.

unnecessary duplication

Stresses that the repetition isn't required or beneficial.

replicated task

Highlights the act of recreating or imitating a task already completed.

superfluous activity

Indicates that an activity exceeds what is sufficient or necessary.

pointless repetition

Focuses on the futility of repeating an action.

fruitless duplication

Implies the repetition yields no positive outcomes.

otiose work

Uses a more formal term to describe work that serves no practical purpose.

idle repetition

Suggests that the act of repeating is lazy or unproductive.

FAQs

How can I prevent "duplicate effort" in my team?

Promote open communication and collaboration. Regularly share project updates, use collaborative tools, and conduct cross-functional meetings to ensure everyone is aware of ongoing tasks and potential overlaps. Documenting processes clearly can also help avoid unintentional "redundant work".

What are some alternatives to using "duplicate effort" in a report?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "overlapping work", "redundant work", or "unnecessary duplication". The best choice will depend on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "duplicate effort" always negative?

Generally, yes. "Duplicate effort" typically implies inefficiency and wasted resources. However, in some rare cases, such as validating experimental results, a controlled repetition might be necessary.

What's the difference between "duplicate effort" and "dual effort"?

"Duplicate effort" refers to performing the same task more than once, often unnecessarily. "Dual effort"/s/dual+effort implies two separate parties working on the same goal, which isn't inherently negative but can lead to "unnecessary duplication" if not coordinated well.