efforts to repay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "efforts to repay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing attempts or actions taken to return a debt or obligation to someone. Example: "Despite the challenges, she made consistent efforts to repay her student loans on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Japanese firms' decade-long efforts to repay debt provide a sobering lesson.

The Economist

They've had my credit since April, and seem to be making no efforts to repay it.

The Guardian - Money

The sales are part of the drilling company's efforts to repay money borrowed to cover enormous expected revenue shortfalls.

The New York Times

Loan recipients sign a commitment letter promising to "exercise my best efforts" to repay the debt "within a reasonable time after I am financially able to do so".

The New York Times

Mr. Benmosche, a former chief executive of MetLife, was hired to run A.I.G. last year to oversee its efforts to repay its $130 billion federal bailout.

The New York Times

The story, as it is, concerns the pair's efforts to repay an extortionist (Robert Loggia) a billion dollars they have squandered on a bad movie.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The stock offering of International Lease Finance would be the latest step in A.I.G.'s effort to repay that bailout.

The New York Times

The auction took place under the direction of Lehman Brothers' administrators in Europe, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and was part of their effort to repay creditors.

The New York Times

In an effort to repay the British government's bailout, the bank has been trying to sell assets and raise additional cash.

The New York Times

If you've shorted yourself on sleep for decades, you won't be required to put in a Rip Van Winkle like effort to repay the hours of missed slumber.

Harvard University

Borrowers who have made no effort to repay any of the capital may also find lenders are reluctant to extend loans to them in future.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "efforts to repay", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being repaid, such as "efforts to repay the loan" or "efforts to repay the community for its support".

Common error

Avoid using "efforts to repay" without specifying the debt or obligation. Always clarify what is being repaid to prevent ambiguity and ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "efforts to repay" functions as a noun phrase that describes actions taken with the purpose of returning something owed. It often appears as part of a larger sentence describing financial or moral obligations. Ludwig examples confirm its frequent use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "efforts to repay" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe attempts to settle a debt or fulfill an obligation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's versatile and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and business. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's important to specify what is being repaid to ensure clarity. Alternatives include phrases like "attempts to reimburse" and "endeavors to settle", which can add nuance depending on the situation. Overall, "efforts to repay" is a reliable and widely understood expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempts to reimburse

Replaces "efforts" with "attempts" and "repay" with "reimburse", focusing on returning funds.

endeavors to settle

Uses "endeavors" instead of "efforts" and "settle" instead of "repay", suggesting a broader resolution of debt.

steps to reimburse

Replaces "efforts" with "steps", indicating specific actions taken, and "repay" with "reimburse", highlighting the financial return.

measures to settle

Uses "measures" instead of "efforts" and "settle" instead of "repay", emphasizing concrete actions to resolve a financial obligation.

actions to pay back

Replaces "efforts" with "actions" and "repay" with the phrasal verb "pay back", maintaining a direct and simple tone.

attempts at repayment

Nominalizes "repay" to "repayment", shifting the focus slightly to the process of repaying.

measures aimed at repayment

Adds "aimed at" to emphasize the target of the measures.

attempts to clear the debt

Replaces "repay" with "clear the debt", focusing on eliminating the debt entirely.

endeavors towards debt settlement

Similar to "endeavors to settle", but with a slight shift in emphasis towards a complete debt settlement.

initiatives for debt resolution

Replaces the action-oriented words with more formal nouns related to debt management.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "efforts to repay" for a more formal tone?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "attempts to reimburse", "endeavors to settle", or "measures aimed at repayment".

Is it better to say "efforts at repayment" or "efforts to repay"?

"Efforts to repay" focuses on the action, while "efforts at repayment" emphasizes the process. Both are correct, but "efforts to repay" is more common and direct.

What verbs can I use instead of "repay" in the phrase "efforts to repay"?

You can use verbs such as "reimburse", "settle", "clear", or "pay back" to replace "repay", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "efforts to repay"?

The phrase "efforts to repay" is appropriate in contexts where there is a debt, obligation, or something owed that someone is actively working to return or resolve. This can include financial debts, community obligations, or even personal commitments.