go through the effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"go through the effort" is a valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
It typically means to expend the energy and effort to do something. For example: "I was willing to go through the effort to make the project a success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

You go through the effort of getting Karl Rove on the phone and he'll say exactly the same thing as Scott McClellan" — the White House press secretary.

The New Yorker

"He couldn't quite figure out why Rick was even bothering to go through the effort," Mr. Friess recalled in an interview on Wednesday.

The New York Times

The laws have also pit establishments that go through the effort, expense and scrutiny that getting a license entails against those bars and restaurants that do not seek a license and permit dancing anyway.

The New York Times

I still have my vinyl records dating back to the sixties and still (once a month or so) go through the effort of cueing up the turntable to play them, though ninety-eight per cent of my listening time these days is devoted to digital recordings, which drift through the speakers with very little effort on my part.

The New Yorker

Corporations go through the effort, the expense and the stress of doing spinoffs in an attempt to increase shareholder value and to give greater visibility to divergent operations.

Forbes

The idea seems to be that if you go through the effort to open the full-screen player, you're probably in the mood to watch more videos.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Why the penguin goes through the effort of producing the first egg is still puzzling.

The New York Times - Science

I'm the one going through the effort of gathering buyers and conducting the illegal transaction.

The New York Times - Magazine

Why had I bothered going through the effort of training for a marathon to end up 10 paces behind the cleanup crew?

The New York Times

To answer questions about numbers in an interview, he drew what he meant with his finger on a table, rather than going through the effort of explaining.

The New York Times

But if you've already gone through the effort of finding a 360 at its regular price, it is certainly worth the extra $100 for the higher-end model.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "go through the effort", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason or motivation behind the effort. This adds depth and purpose to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "go through the effort" when the action is self-explanatory. For instance, saying "He went through the effort to breathe" is redundant, since breathing is usually an automatic action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go through the effort" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of expending energy and resources to achieve a goal. It is commonly used to emphasize the dedication and work involved in a particular task, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

29%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science & Research

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "go through the effort" is a common and acceptable way to express expending time and energy to achieve a goal. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct. It is frequently used in News & Media and Wiki contexts, indicating a neutral to slightly informal register. While several alternatives exist, each carries slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, ensure that the reason for the effort is clear and avoid redundancy in simpler contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make an effort

This alternative is more concise, directly highlighting the act of trying.

put in the work

This phrase emphasizes the labor and dedication involved.

take the trouble

This alternative highlights the potential inconvenience or difficulty involved.

invest time and energy

This phrase breaks down the effort into its components, time and energy.

exert oneself

A more formal way to express putting in effort, often suggesting a significant degree of energy expenditure.

commit oneself

Highlights the dedication and willingness to expend energy on something.

shoulder the task

This implies taking on a responsibility that requires effort.

undertake the endeavor

This is a more formal and elaborate way of saying to take on the task.

dedicate resources

Focuses on the allocation of resources, including time and energy, towards a goal.

go the distance

Implies persevering through difficulties and completing the task, often requiring significant effort.

FAQs

What does it mean to "go through the effort"?

To "go through the effort" means to expend time, energy, and resources to accomplish something, often implying that the task requires significant dedication and is not necessarily easy.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "go through the effort"?

Use "go through the effort" when you want to emphasize the amount of work or dedication required for a particular task or activity. It's suitable when the task is not simple or straightforward.

What are some alternatives to "go through the effort"?

You can use alternatives such as "make an effort", "put in the work", or "take the trouble" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "go through the effort" formal or informal?

"Go through the effort" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "exert oneself" might be preferred in very formal settings.