effort to improve

USAGE SUMMARY

"effort to improve" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are discussing putting in the effort to make something better. For example, "I am putting in a lot of effort to improve my grades this semester."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A crass effort to improve her image?

The New York Times - Arts

The project is an effort to improve basic science education.

The New York Times

A recent effort to improve technology was disastrous.

The Washington Post

An ongoing effort to improve criminal justice reporting in California.

Stanford University

McKeown made no obvious effort to improve his position at any stage of the race.

The Guardian - Sport

Egypt has carried out a comprehensive effort to improve the health of mothers and children.

The New York Times

Rick DiPietro, recalled Wednesday in an effort to improve the Islanders' goaltending, survived a shaky start.

The New York Times - Sports

Some might see it as an effort to improve on the Bible.

The New York Times - Arts

"Our effort to improve performance is not a quarter-to-quarter issue," Mr. Gold said.

The New York Times

Code-share partners generally audit each other's performance in an effort to improve safety.

The New York Times

"He made a huge effort to improve his attitude around the dressing room.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "effort to improve" when you want to emphasize a dedicated and intentional attempt to make something better. Be specific about what you are trying to improve for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "effort to improve" vaguely. Always clearly state what you are trying to improve. For example, instead of saying "The company made an effort to improve", specify "The company made an effort to improve customer service".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "effort to improve" functions as a noun phrase that describes an attempt or endeavor with the specific goal of making something better. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "effort to improve" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression that signifies a conscious attempt to make something better. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. While versatile, it's best practice to specify the target of improvement for clarity. Remember to use more descriptive alternatives when appropriate to enhance your writing. The numerous examples provided by Ludwig, coupled with its AI's assessment, highlight the phrase's consistent and appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endeavor to enhance

Replaces 'effort' with 'endeavor' and 'improve' with 'enhance', suggesting a more formal and deliberate attempt.

attempt to better

Substitutes 'effort' with 'attempt' and 'improve' with 'better', offering a simpler and more direct expression.

initiative to refine

Uses 'initiative' instead of 'effort' to highlight a proactive step, and 'refine' instead of 'improve' implying a focus on precision.

drive to optimize

Employs 'drive' for a stronger sense of motivation, and 'optimize' to emphasize efficiency and peak performance.

push to advance

Replaces 'effort' with 'push', conveying a sense of forceful action, and 'advance' implying forward progress.

campaign to upgrade

Suggests a structured and organized approach to improvement, focusing on modernization and enhancements.

project to develop

Frames the improvement as a planned undertaking with specific goals and stages.

plan to ameliorate

Replaces improve with ameliorate, introducing a more formal and sophisticated tone.

strategy to rectify

Implies the presence of an issue that requires correction, suggesting a targeted and calculated approach.

move to boost

Highlights a specific action taken to achieve improvement, suggesting a tactical and immediate approach.

FAQs

How can I use "effort to improve" in a sentence?

You can use "effort to improve" to describe a conscious attempt to make something better. For example, "The government is making an "effort to improve" public transportation".

What phrases are similar to "effort to improve"?

Similar phrases include "endeavor to enhance", "attempt to better", or "initiative to refine".

Is "effort at improving" grammatically correct?

While "effort at improving" is sometimes used, "effort to improve" is more common and generally preferred in formal writing. The latter clearly expresses the purpose or intention.

What's the difference between "effort to improve" and "attempt to improve"?

"Effort to improve" suggests sustained and dedicated work, whereas "attempt to improve" can imply a single, possibly unsuccessful, try.