efforts were made

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "efforts were made" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that an action or set of actions was undertaken, often with a sense of having been unsuccessful. For example, "Despite our best efforts, the project was not completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But some efforts were made.

The Guardian

Efforts were made to block this.

University of California, Berkeley

Extraordinary efforts were made to kill it.

The Guardian

Promotion efforts were made in the media, including TV.

Environmental Modelling & Software

Efforts were made to form joint French-German military units.

The New York Times

"What efforts were made to tear down that wall!

The New Yorker

Later, efforts were made to equalize men's and women's salaries.

The New York Times

Efforts were made to include women and blacks.

The New York Times - Books

Brave efforts were made and they partly succeeded.

The Guardian - Books

Efforts were made to minimise animal suffering.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

All efforts were made to minimize suffering.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "efforts were made", ensure the context clearly indicates the purpose or goal of the efforts. Providing specific details about the nature of the efforts strengthens the communication.

Common error

Avoid using "efforts were made" without specifying the result or impact of those efforts. If the efforts were unsuccessful, explicitly state this to provide a complete picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "efforts were made" functions as a passive construction indicating that someone or some group undertook actions towards a specific goal. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "efforts were made" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that attempts or actions were undertaken. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase appears across diverse contexts, from scientific research to news reporting. It conveys the idea that actions were initiated, although the outcome may not always be explicitly stated. While suitable for various registers, it is commonly found in formal and neutral settings, particularly in science and news media. When using this phrase, clarity about the goal and results of the efforts is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempts were undertaken

Replaces "efforts" with "attempts", focusing on the act of trying.

steps were taken

Substitutes "efforts" with "steps", emphasizing specific actions taken.

measures were implemented

Uses "measures" instead of "efforts", highlighting the application of specific actions.

actions were initiated

Focuses on the start of the actions rather than the effort itself.

attempts were carried out

Emphasizes the completion of the attempts.

endeavors were pursued

Replaces "efforts" with "endeavors", highlighting determined attempts.

moves were made

Suggests strategic actions or decisions.

procedures were followed

Indicates that specific protocols or steps were adhered to.

plans were executed

Focuses on the implementation of pre-defined plans.

arrangements were finalized

Emphasizes the completion and agreement on arrangements.

FAQs

How can I use "efforts were made" in a sentence?

You can use "efforts were made" to indicate that attempts were undertaken to achieve a specific goal, as in, "Efforts were made to minimize animal suffering during the experiments."

What are some alternatives to "efforts were made"?

Alternatives include "steps were taken", "attempts were undertaken", or "measures were implemented" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "attempts were undertaken" instead of "efforts were made"?

While both phrases are suitable for formal contexts, "attempts were undertaken" may sound slightly more formal or academic than "efforts were made".

When is it appropriate to use "no efforts were made"?

Use "no efforts were made" to emphasize a complete lack of attempts or actions taken in a particular situation. For example, "No efforts were made to control ambient light or humidity."