efforts

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "efforts" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the amount of time, energy, and/or resources someone has invested in an activity or project. For example: "John put a lot of effort into his project, and it really paid off in the end."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both efforts failed.

The New Yorker

"The parents were hoping he would come with some information for them about where the girls may be and what efforts are being done to recover them, but instead to be told he is not coming was not easy for them.

The Guardian

"Australia consensus would have put the University of Western Australia at the forefront of global research efforts to improve the use of aid spending.

The Guardian

We have to redouble our efforts for 2014.

The Economist

One way or another the major UK parties have been pretty rough in their election campaign efforts to neutralise or exploit the likely consequences on Westminster of an SNP-dominated contingent from Scotland.

The Guardian

However, the Nobel committee's citation said the prize was a more general one, to mark "its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons" and nudge the few remaining nations that had not yet signed up to the organisation.

The Guardian

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has become the surprise choice for this year's Nobel peace prize, a decision the Oslo committee said recognised both its current, hazardous mission to destroy Syria's chemical weapons stocks and 16 years of wider global efforts.

The Guardian

"Britain [should] demand the highest standards of environmental protection in trade deals, and lead international efforts to improve air quality in cities in developing countries," said the MPs.

The Guardian

However, declining real wages have made consumers reluctant to borrow, undermining efforts to increase consumer spending.

The Guardian - Business

The risks, though, are considerable – not least because if The X Factor flops, then Fox may well drop the show and concentrate its efforts on Idol.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Physical activity should be targeted to the same extent as smoking with respect to public health prevention efforts in the elderly," they said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing collective action, use "efforts" to emphasize the coordinated and sustained nature of the work. For example, "The company's marketing efforts led to a significant increase in sales."

Common error

Avoid using "efforts" in phrases where the meaning is already implied. For example, instead of saying "collaborative efforts," consider simply saying "collaboration."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "efforts" is as a plural noun, referring to a collection of actions or endeavors undertaken to achieve a specific goal. Ludwig indicates that this term is commonly used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "efforts" functions as a plural noun denoting multiple actions or endeavors aimed at a specific goal. It is grammatically sound and exhibits a neutral register, as supported by Ludwig. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, this term effectively highlights dedication and activity in pursuit of objectives. Ludwig's AI confirms the word is correct and frequently used in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endeavors

Similar in meaning, but often suggests a more formal or significant undertaking.

endeavours

British English spelling of "endeavors", carrying the same formal connotation.

attempts

Focuses on the act of trying, without necessarily implying success or sustained commitment.

undertakings

Suggests a planned and potentially complex project or series of actions.

initiatives

Refers to new or innovative approaches to address a problem or achieve an objective.

campaigns

Implies a coordinated series of actions aimed at a specific goal, often in a political or social context.

measures

Suggests specific actions taken to achieve a particular purpose.

exertions

Emphasizes the physical or mental energy expended in pursuing a goal.

struggles

Highlights the difficulties and challenges encountered while pursuing a goal.

labors

Implies hard work and sustained effort, often with a focus on physical tasks.

FAQs

How to use "efforts" in a sentence?

You can use "efforts" to describe the actions taken to achieve a goal, as in "The team's "endeavors" paid off with a successful project launch."

What can I say instead of "efforts"?

You can use alternatives like ""endeavors"", "attempts", or "initiatives" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "effort" or "efforts"?

"Effort" is singular and refers to a single attempt, while "efforts" is plural and refers to multiple attempts or a sustained campaign. For instance, "He made an effort" versus "Their collective efforts were successful".

What's the difference between "efforts" and "measures"?

"Efforts" generally describe actions taken towards a goal, whereas "measures" often refer to specific steps or procedures implemented to achieve something.