fair amount of effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fair amount of effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a reasonable or adequate level of effort put into a task or activity. Example: "Completing the project required a fair amount of effort from the entire team to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

A trip to Fabric would often require a fair amount of effort, but the rewards were never less than incredible.

The Guardian - Music

In pop music, which is a worse deal for the aging than painting and fiction are, there can be a fair amount of effort involved.

The New Yorker

We have a big base in Kyrgyzstan, and the renewal of its lease there last year took a fair amount of effort on the Obama Administration's part.

The New Yorker

I spent a fair amount of effort talking her out of it on the premise that, having seen her work, she was destined to run the world.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Facebook is a very innovative company, but we have had two large innovative companies, Google and Amazon, that have spent a fair amount of effort on payments," said Mark Mahaney, an analyst at Citigroup.

The New York Times - Tech

Lorraine Collins, a psychologist and addiction specialist in Buffalo, N.Y., explained: "Restrained drinkers have to put a fair amount of effort into controlling their drinking and/or fighting the urge to drink.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

But even with co-sponsor capabilities and a network of venues, a successful Rabbl campaign can require a fair amount of user effort.

The New York Times

We spent a fair amount of subsequent effort arranging scholarship money for her because despite all of the billions of dollars floating around the Stanford campus there is sparse support for foreigner scholarship money, buckets for locals.

Huffington Post

I wasn't an "A" student and it was often necessary for me to input a fair amount of time and effort to see positive results.

Science Magazine

Marketing a startup takes a fair amount of time and effort.

Huffington Post

It took a fair amount of time and effort to get here, but the payoffs have been beyond what either of us ever expected them to be.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "fair amount of effort" with more descriptive terms like "dedication", "commitment", or "hard work" to provide more specific insight into the nature of the effort involved.

Common error

While "fair amount of effort" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for stronger synonyms like "considerable diligence" or "significant exertion" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fair amount of effort" functions as a quantifier followed by a noun. According to Ludwig, it's a correct and usable expression. It describes the degree to which effort is applied, functioning similarly to an adjective modifying "effort".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fair amount of effort" is a correct and commonly used phrase to describe a moderate level of exertion. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples indicates its suitability across various contexts, particularly in news and general informational content. While acceptable in most situations, consider using more precise or formal alternatives like "considerable effort" or "significant exertion" depending on the specific context and desired tone. Be mindful of overuse, especially in professional writing, and leverage stronger synonyms to enrich your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable effort

Emphasizes the substantial quantity of effort required.

significant effort

Highlights the importance or impact of the effort exerted.

substantial effort

Similar to considerable, but may imply a greater volume of effort.

reasonable amount of effort

Indicates effort that is appropriate and not excessive.

notable effort

Highlights the fact that the effort is worthy of attention.

appreciable effort

Stresses that the effort is easily perceived or noticed.

a good deal of effort

Similar in meaning, but uses "deal" instead of "amount".

a fair bit of effort

More informal, using "bit" to describe the quantity of effort.

marked effort

Implies effort that is easily noticeable.

a certain degree of effort

Suggests the effort has limitations and it is not massive.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "fair amount of effort" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you could use phrases like "considerable effort", "significant effort", or "substantial effort". These options lend a more professional tone to your writing.

What's the difference between "fair amount of effort" and "reasonable amount of effort"?

"Fair amount of effort" generally indicates a moderate level of exertion, while "reasonable amount of effort" suggests the effort was appropriate and not excessive for the task at hand. The latter implies judgment about the effort's suitability.

Is "fair amount of effort" suitable for academic writing?

While acceptable, "fair amount of effort" might be considered less impactful in academic writing. Consider using more precise and formal alternatives like "extensive research", "rigorous analysis", or "detailed investigation", depending on the context.

What are some common situations where I might use "fair amount of effort"?

You might use "fair amount of effort" when discussing completing a project, learning a new skill, or overcoming a challenge where a noticeable but not overwhelming level of work was required. Remember to consider whether a more specific term like "dedication" or "commitment" would be more appropriate.