humble effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"humble effort" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it to describe an accomplishment that was done modestly or without seeking recognition. For example, "The small team made a humble effort to finish the project in time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Below is my humble effort at what I would have him say to do so.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

We shall continue our humble efforts.

The Guardian

This is one for perfectionists – I've made macarons in the past but my humble efforts have been vastly improved by following all the tips in this book.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Of those who have given up their lives for this moment, some will remain anonymous in their humble efforts, while others will be impossible not to notice.

The New York Times - Sports

"If with my humble efforts the voice of tens of millions of children in the world who are living in servitude is being heard, congratulations to all," Mr. Satyarthi said in a television interview on Friday.

The New York Times

Profound change doesn't flow from Greatness; it inches forward incrementally, resulting from the humble efforts of ordinary people.

Huffington Post

He understood as well that our humble efforts, our individual ambitions, are ultimately not what matter; rather, it is through the accumulated toil and sacrifice of ordinary men and women -- those like the soldiers who consecrated that battlefield -- that this country is built, and freedom preserved.

Huffington Post

The amount of training required for humbler efforts than those before us is well indicated by Ruskin.

Harvard University

I know firsthand that a humble, sustained effort can make a huge difference.

Huffington Post

"Humble little efforts" indeed.

The New York Times - Arts

"Huge numbers of their earliest recordings are no longer available and never would be without our humble little efforts".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "humble effort" to describe actions where you want to downplay your own role or achievements, emphasizing collaboration or external factors.

Common error

Avoid using "humble effort" ironically to describe something that is clearly a major accomplishment. This can come across as insincere or condescending.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "humble effort" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "humble" modifies the noun "effort". It typically describes an endeavor undertaken with modesty and without pretension. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "humble effort" is a grammatically sound way to describe an endeavor undertaken with modesty. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and its usage across various sources like news outlets and academic institutions shows its versatility. While the phrase isn't overly common, choosing it signals a deliberate intention to downplay personal achievement, and emphasize factors like collaboration. Related phrases include "modest endeavor" and "simple attempt", offering similar shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modest endeavor

Replaces "effort" with "endeavor", highlighting the attempt to achieve something, while maintaining the sense of modesty.

simple attempt

Focuses on the basic nature of the try, minimizing any implication of grandiosity.

unpretentious undertaking

Emphasizes the lack of pretension in the project or task being performed.

lowly pursuit

Highlights the humble nature of the goal or activity being followed.

small contribution

Refers to a minor offering or input, downplaying its significance.

minor undertaking

Emphasizes the limited scale and scope of the activity.

plain endeavor

Highlights the unadorned and straightforward nature of the attempt.

basic attempt

Focuses on the rudimentary nature of the effort, minimizing any complexity.

meager attempt

Stresses the limited resources or ability involved in the effort.

unassuming effort

Highlights the lack of arrogance or self-importance in the endeavor.

FAQs

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

You might say, "Despite being a "modest endeavor", their "humble effort" made a significant difference in the community".

What are some alternatives to "humble effort"?

Consider using phrases like "modest attempt", "simple endeavor", or "unpretentious undertaking" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "humble effort"?

It's suitable when describing an action or contribution that you want to portray as modest, collaborative, or not driven by personal ambition.

Is "humble effort" the same as "token effort"?

No, "humble effort" suggests genuine, albeit modest, work. "Token effort" implies a minimal action done only to satisfy requirements, without real commitment. They differ in their intent and the degree of engagement involved.