effort toward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "effort toward" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a direction or action that someone is taking or trying to take. For example, "He has made a great effort toward achieving his goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The effort toward verisimilitude included one other little touch.

The New York Times

Near-term effort toward further ISPC development is discussed.

Fusion Engineering and Design

Whether managers achieve their incentivized goals is a function of their subordinates' effort toward those goals.

Accounting, Organizations and Society

Either can reflect some visible effort toward curating, editing, reducing, condensing, maybe even an occasional purging.

The New Yorker

They see a problem, they allocate money and effort toward a solution".

The New York Times

Our main goal, though, will be to devote more effort toward finding fossils.

The New York Times

He obliges with an effort toward goal, which dips well wide of the post.

The New York Times

Why hasn't there been a concerted effort toward conservation of India's urban architecture yet?

The New York Times

For 2013, Ferrari said the F138 reflects a maximum effort toward improvement.

The New York Times

Currently, there exists a concerted effort toward the development of wound healing bionanomaterials.

Nanostructures for Novel Therapy Synthesis, Characterization and Applications

This Article makes a small effort toward an alternate explanation of formalism in wills adjudication.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "effort toward" when you want to emphasize the direction or target of someone's actions or energy. For example, "The company's "effort toward" sustainability is commendable."

Common error

Avoid using "effort to" when "effort toward" is more appropriate. "Effort to" often implies an attempt, while "effort toward" emphasizes progress in a specific direction. For example, use "effort toward a solution" instead of "effort to a solution".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "effort toward" functions as a noun phrase followed by a preposition, modifying another noun or verb phrase to indicate direction or intent. Ludwig shows that it is typically followed by a noun representing a desired outcome or goal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "effort toward" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates the direction or target of an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English. Its prevalence across News & Media, Science, and Academia underscores its versatility. While alternatives like "work towards" or "endeavor for" exist, "effort toward" distinctly highlights the progress being made in a specific direction. Remember to use "effort toward" when emphasizing the intended outcome, rather than simply the attempt itself. Recognizing the appropriate context for this phrase will enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

work towards

Highlights the gradual and progressive nature of the effort.

endeavor for

Replaces "effort" with a similar noun and "toward" with "for", emphasizing the attempt to achieve something.

striving for

Focuses on the continuous exertion of effort, implying persistent attempts.

commitment to

Emphasizes dedication and responsibility towards a specific goal.

dedication to

Similar to "devotion to" but slightly less emotionally charged.

push for

Suggests a more forceful and active attempt.

drive for

Implies a strong motivation and energy behind the attempt.

devotion to

Highlights a strong emotional attachment and dedication.

campaign for

Indicates a coordinated and planned series of actions.

action on

Focuses on the practical steps taken to address something.

FAQs

How can I use "effort toward" in a sentence?

Use "effort toward" to indicate actions taken in the direction of a specific goal. For example, "The team made a significant "effort toward" completing the project on time."

What phrases are similar to "effort toward"?

You can use phrases such as "endeavor for", "work towards", or "commitment to" as alternatives depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "effort to" instead of "effort toward"?

While "effort to" can be grammatically correct, it often implies an attempt. "Effort toward" emphasizes movement in a specific direction, making it more suitable in many contexts. Choose the phrasing that best reflects your intended meaning.

What is the difference between "effort toward" and "endeavor for"?

"Effort toward" focuses on the actions taken in a particular direction, while "endeavor for" emphasizes the striving to achieve a specific goal. Both are similar, but the subtle difference lies in the emphasis.