earnest plea

USAGE SUMMARY

'earnest plea' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to a serious, sincere, or urgent request. Example sentence: I made an earnest plea for help, but nobody was available to come to my rescue.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

David Leonhardt answers an earnest plea for suggestions about how to restore America's imperiled middle class.

The New York Times

A broad marital comedy distracted by an earnest plea for open artistic expression?

The Guardian - Film

The album spawned his signature song, "Make Me Over," which is an earnest plea for redemption, despite the cheerful title.

The New Yorker

Her policy prescriptions are sensible if not earth-shatteringly innovative, more an earnest plea for rethinking assumptions than instantaneous solutions.

The Washington Post

Crenshaw, a Texas Republican headed to Congress, used the moment to make an earnest plea for unity.

The New York Times

By itself, that sign could be a lot of things: an earnest plea to enjoy the moment, an ironic commentary on the futility of seeking perfection, or a wistful nod to the impermanence of everything.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

There are confessions ("I've made a terrible mistake coming here") and earnest pleas ("appreciate the crewmembers!").

The New Yorker

IT is one of those unfortunate truths that many people, upon hearing earnest pleas to protect the environment, have an impulse to run out and... well, litter.

The New York Times

Instead of earnest pleas, heartbreaking set pieces and inspirational songs, viewers will be treated to segments showing Steve Carell simulating orgasm with two women onstage, Sarah Silverman making out with the film critic Leonard Maltin, and a generous helping of bleeped-out language.

The New York Times - Arts

More than eight hundred volunteers were recruited to deal with the gifts that were sent to the city — all of which kept arriving despite earnest pleas from Newtown officials that charity be directed elsewhere.

The New Yorker

He would offer $5,000 in cash for an upcoming campaign, or as a straight-up bribe, with the promise of more to come, and with earnest pleas that his official requests be "taken care of".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "earnest plea" to convey a sincere and urgent request, especially in situations where the outcome is important. For instance, "The community issued an "earnest plea" for donations to support the local food bank."

Common error

Avoid using "earnest plea" in extremely casual or informal settings. While it's not overly formal, the phrase carries a weight of sincerity that may seem out of place in relaxed conversations. Choose more casual synonyms like "sincere request" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earnest plea" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a request made with sincerity and urgency. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "earnest plea" is a noun phrase used to describe a request made with significant sincerity and urgency. It commonly appears in news and media, as well as academic contexts. While grammatically correct, it's essential to consider the level of formality suitable for the context, as advised by Ludwig. Alternatives like "sincere request" or "fervent appeal" can be used to adjust the tone. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is well-recognized and consistently used in writing. It is crucial to understand that the communicative intention of using the phrase "earnest plea" seeks persuasion through empathy and urgency, inviting action from its audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sincere request

Replaces "plea" with "request", emphasizing politeness and hope for a positive response.

fervent appeal

Substitutes "earnest" with "fervent" and "plea" with "appeal", increasing the emotional intensity.

heartfelt supplication

Replaces "earnest plea" with a more formal and emotional expression, indicating deep sincerity.

urgent entreaty

Highlights the pressing nature of the request; suitable when time is of the essence.

passionate appeal

Emphasizes the strong emotion and conviction behind the request.

serious petition

Replaces "plea" with "petition", suggesting a more formal and structured request.

genuine request

Highlights the authenticity and sincerity of the request.

insistent demand

Conveys a stronger sense of urgency and expectation compared to a plea.

determined solicitation

Replaces "plea" with "solicitation", focusing on actively seeking a response with resolve.

staunch request

Emphasizes the steadfast and resolute nature of the request.

FAQs

How can I use "earnest plea" in a sentence?

You can use "earnest plea" to describe a sincere and urgent request, for example: "The organization issued an "earnest plea" for volunteers to help with the disaster relief efforts." It's often used to describe appeals for help or support.

What can I say instead of "earnest plea"?

You can use alternatives like "sincere request", "fervent appeal", or "heartfelt supplication", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "earnest plea" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "earnest plea" is suitable for formal writing when you want to convey a serious and sincere request. However, consider the specific context and audience. In some cases, a more direct and less emotionally charged phrase might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "earnest plea" and "strong suggestion"?

"Earnest plea" implies a deep level of sincerity and urgency in a request, often in a situation where the outcome is critical. In comparison, "strong suggestion" implies a recommendation or piece of advice that might be taken or ignored without significant consequences.