expended effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expended effort" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means the effort has been used or spent on something. Example: Despite the expended effort in studying for the exam, she still struggled to pass it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And, in cities such as St . Paul Minn., Portland, Me., and San Francisco, where instant run-offs are employed, pollsters have expended effort and will inevitably expend more to determine how the voters rank the candidates.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

You're expending effort, but not a whole lot.

Yale University

Mr. Scherer is a hoofer, expending effort for the effect of effortlessness.

The New York Times

This paper examines the psychological underpinnings of users' willingness to expend effort to personalise ICT.

Interacting with Computers

Why expend effort to entertain when your fans cheer the merest platitude and whoop the slightest sashay of the hips?

The Guardian

This created the sense that Rihanna, finally expending effort in the studio, was locked in a profound creative struggle formerly unknown to her.

The New Yorker

More importantly, the results support the long-standing notion that the measurement of cognitive impairments in SZ is highly linked to a willingness to expend effort.

Schizophrenia Research

Moreover, keeping things secret just encourages people to uncover the secrets if something is worth hiding, it must be important and interesting enough to expend effort discovering.

Harvard Business Review

Although Lens.com affiliates do expend effort to promote Defendant's service mark, they nevertheless act "primarily for their own benefit". Indeed, Lens.

Harvard University

Willingness to expend effort in order to obtain rewards and avoid harm may be a crucial distinguishing feature among individuals vulnerable to anxiety or depression.

University of California, Berkeley

The agent dislikes expending effort but likes getting paid.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expended effort" to emphasize that a specific amount of effort was used and completed for a particular task or goal. This suggests a quantifiable investment.

Common error

Avoid using "expended effort" when the effort is ongoing or its completion is uncertain. Phrases like "putting in effort" or "applying effort" are more appropriate for describing ongoing actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expended effort" functions as a noun phrase, where "expended" acts as a past participle modifying the noun "effort". According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and commonly used phrase. This means the effort has been used or spent on something.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expended effort" is a grammatically correct and functional phrase that describes the completed application of effort toward a goal. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its frequency is relatively low, indicating a somewhat formal or deliberate usage. It is most commonly found in science, news, academic contexts, and it is used to emphasize a quantifiable investment of effort. When writing, be mindful to use "expended effort" when referring to effort that has been completed, distinguishing it from ongoing efforts. Alternatives include "applied energy" or "devoted resources", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Extended exertion

Highlights the strenuous nature of the effort.

Dedicated attention

Emphasizes focus and careful consideration.

Applied energy

Focuses on the energy used, rather than the overall effort.

Exercised diligence

Stresses careful and persistent effort.

Devoted resources

Emphasizes the allocation of resources, including time and materials, to a specific purpose.

Invested time and energy

Highlights the commitment of both time and energy into a particular endeavor.

Exerted influence

Highlights the application of power or persuasion.

Made a contribution

Focuses on the positive impact resulting from the effort.

Put in work

An informal way to express the application of effort.

Performed labor

Refers specifically to physical work.

FAQs

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

You can use "expended effort" to describe situations where a specific amount of effort has been applied to achieve a goal. For example, "Despite the "considerable effort", the project failed."

What are some alternatives to "expended effort"?

Some alternatives include "applied energy", "devoted resources", or "invested time and energy" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "efforts expended" instead of "expended effort"?

While "efforts expended" isn't grammatically incorrect, "expended effort" is more common and flows more naturally in most contexts. "Efforts expended" might be used when referring to multiple distinct efforts.

What's the difference between "expended effort" and "making an effort"?

"Expended effort" implies that the effort has already been used and completed, while "making an effort" suggests an ongoing or future action. For example, "They "expended great effort" on the presentation", versus "They are "making an effort" to improve their communication skills."