effortful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "effortful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that requires a significant amount of effort or exertion to accomplish. Example: "Completing the marathon was an effortful task, but the sense of achievement made it worthwhile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Students ignore this conventional wisdom at their peril: sporadic, effort-free "study" in novel contexts is assuredly less effective than genuine, effortful undistracted study.

The New York Times

Indeed yes: when people are led to think that effortful tasks will invigorate rather than drain them, they improve their performance on a later task".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He posits two general systems of thinking:  System 1, intuitive and quick, good for most purposes, but prone to those pesky cognitive traps; and System 2, deliberative and slow, better at higher reasoning but effortful to activate and keep active.

The Economist

The most controversial scene in The Killer Inside Me – the effortful and horribly extended sequence in which the sheriff sets out to beat his lover to death – is appalling.

Independent

Tyler is a clever but effortful rapper, working hard to squeeze jokes and ideas into his lyrics, and harder still to push his lyrics out with his inflamed bronchia.

The New Yorker

But Mapplethorpe's photographs of celebrities often feel effortful and anxious.

The New Yorker

Sebold's fixation on terror retains its hold, though sometimes the sheer profusion of dysfunction feels improvised and the more macabre touches effortful.

The New Yorker

A memoir of dying is exceptionally wrenching because we know the end at the beginning, and so meet with an effortful, pulsing person who will soon be neither.

The New Yorker

The men who walked out of "The Sheik" might have calmed down had they read Heywood Broun's review of Valentino's effortful ravishings, which ran in the New York World on November 7 , 1921 We gathered from the comments of the young lady who went to the movies that Valentino is one of the most bewitchingly handsome juveniles on the screen.

The New Yorker

It takes a big, effortful leap to tear ourselves out of that mode and accept someone else's argument — and it's an effort we don't often make unless we're specifically prompted to do so.

The New Yorker

This was the difficult place Ares lived in: the space between Laurel's seeming lack of concern, which felt somehow effortful, and his absolute conviction that she blamed everything on him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "effortful" to describe activities or processes that require noticeable exertion, distinguishing them from routine or effortless tasks. For instance, "effortful concentration" highlights the focused energy required.

Common error

Avoid using "effortful" when you mean "effective". "Effortful" describes the amount of effort put into something, while "effective" describes the success of that effort. Instead of saying "the effortful method", consider "the effective method" if you mean a method that produces results.

Linguistic Context

The word "effortful" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that requires or demonstrates considerable effort. This is supported by Ludwig, which identifies it as an adjective and provides examples where it describes activities or processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "effortful" is a grammatically correct adjective that describes something requiring considerable effort. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker. While frequently found in news and media, it is absent from other contexts. The phrase is best used to highlight the exertion involved in a task, distinguishing it from routine or effortless activities. Remember to avoid confusing "effortful" with "effective", focusing on the input of effort rather than the outcome. Alternatives like "demanding" or "strenuous" can be used depending on the specific nuance needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demanding

Stresses the high requirements and expectations.

challenging

Emphasizes the difficulty and the need for skill to overcome.

strenuous

Highlights the energy and vigor needed.

taxing

Highlights the depleting effect on one's resources.

laborious

Emphasizes the difficulty and physical exertion involved.

arduous

Focuses on the difficulty and length of the task.

grueling

Implies extreme exhaustion and difficulty.

industrious

Highlights diligence and hard work.

striving

Highlights continuous effort and ambition.

conscientious

Implies diligence and careful attention to detail.

FAQs

How can I use "effortful" in a sentence?

"Effortful" describes something requiring considerable effort. For example, "It was an effortful task, but I learned a lot".

What's a good alternative to "effortful"?

Alternatives include "demanding", "strenuous", or "laborious", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "effortful" imply about the task being described?

It implies that the task requires significant exertion, energy, or focused attention. It suggests that the task is not easy or automatic.

Is "effortful" the same as "striving"?

While related, "effortful" describes the nature of the task itself, whereas "striving" describes the action of attempting something with effort. You might say "the project was effortful", but "he was striving to complete the project".