earnest efforts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earnest efforts" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express serious or sincere attempts to do something difficult. For example: "After making earnest efforts, the team was able to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Ethiopia is making earnest efforts to rehabilitate the country.

The New Yorker

Perhaps that explains all the earnest efforts to try.

The Washington Post

More recently, much derisive hilarity has attended the earnest efforts of Turkey.

The New Yorker

She applauds Reed's earnest efforts at purging racism from evangelical politics.

The New York Times - Books

Between 1870 and 1890 Bismarck earned the respect of European leaders for his earnest efforts in behalf of peace.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They made earnest efforts to help at every turn, enduring much nonsense from their visibly deranged partner.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Although Cassandra Kubinski's Mirette is an earnest effort, the earnestness and the effort are all too visible.

The New York Times

And this is an earnest effort.

The New York Times

It was an earnest effort at poor rationalizing by Byrd.

The New York Times - Sports

Any earnest effort at communication, moreover, is regarded with hostility and suspicion.

The New Yorker

The founders made an earnest effort to keep religion out of politics.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "earnest efforts" to describe attempts that are not only serious but also demonstrate a high level of sincerity and dedication. Ensure the context reflects genuine intent and commitment.

Common error

Avoid using "earnest efforts" when describing routine tasks or actions that require minimal dedication. This phrase is most effective when highlighting significant commitment in challenging situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earnest efforts" functions as a noun phrase that describes actions undertaken with considerable sincerity and dedication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to express serious or sincere attempts to achieve something difficult. It often modifies a verb, indicating the manner in which an action is performed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

16%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "earnest efforts" is a commonly used phrase that describes sincere and dedicated attempts to achieve a specific goal. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English. It is frequently found in news, academic, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating its versatility and acceptance in both neutral and formal settings. While alternatives exist, using "earnest efforts" effectively communicates genuine commitment and dedication, as long as it's applied in situations that warrant such emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sincere endeavors

Replaces "earnest" with "sincere" and "efforts" with "endeavors", emphasizing the genuineness of the attempts.

dedicated attempts

Substitutes "earnest" with "dedicated", focusing on the committed nature of the attempts.

diligent endeavors

Replaces "earnest" with "diligent", highlighting the thorough and careful nature of the efforts.

determined efforts

Emphasizes the resolve behind the efforts by using "determined".

conscientious attempts

Replaces "earnest" with "conscientious", focusing on the moral aspect and carefulness of the attempts.

genuine strivings

Replaces both words to convey a sense of authentic and vigorous attempts.

assiduous endeavors

Uses more formal synonyms to convey persistent and attentive efforts.

zealous pursuits

Highlights the enthusiasm and passion involved in the efforts.

vigorous attempts

Focuses on the energetic and forceful nature of the attempts.

staunch endeavors

Highlights the firm and unwavering nature of the efforts.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "earnest efforts" in a sentence?

Use "earnest efforts" to describe situations where someone is putting in considerable, sincere dedication to achieve a goal. For example: "Despite their earnest efforts, the team couldn't meet the deadline."

What are some alternatives to "earnest efforts"?

You can use alternatives like "sincere endeavors", "dedicated attempts", or "diligent endeavors" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "earnest and sincere efforts"?

Yes, saying "earnest and sincere efforts" can be redundant because "earnest" already implies sincerity. It's better to choose one or the other unless you're intentionally emphasizing the point.

What's the difference between "earnest efforts" and "good intentions"?

"Earnest efforts" implies active attempts and dedicated work towards a goal, while "good intentions" refers to having positive motives without necessarily taking action. You can have good intentions without making earnest efforts.