in an effort to ensure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in an effort to ensure" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that something was done with the intention of making sure that a certain outcome would be reached. For example: "The local government implemented a new policy in an effort to ensure higher air quality standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Later, realizing the error had taken place, we did make concessions in an effort to ensure satisfaction.

The New York Times - Travel

Ms. Quinley said procedures had been changed since then in an effort to ensure that such cases would be investigated.

The New York Times

Mr. Bush held two meetings with House members today in an effort to ensure passage of the legislation.

The New York Times

Washington has provided this money in an effort to ensure that oil development does no harm to the unusual ecosystems.

The New York Times - Science

Other agencies have eliminated nonessential travel in an effort to ensure that a core mission can continue.

The New York Times

They have already banned presenters from appearing on the red carpet in an effort to ensure viewers watch the entire ceremony.

The Guardian - Film

Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham had suspended the transport in an effort to ensure that terrorists would not attack the nuclear material.

The New York Times

In an effort to ensure quality of learning and teaching, all FE lecturers are now trained to meet the standards set by the Further Education National Training Organisation.

The Guardian

The Saving Nemo fund has been breeding clownfish in nurseries since 2005 in an effort to ensure wild populations do not suffer.

The Guardian - Film

Consideration should also be given to strengthening victims' procedural rights – including the right to a victim lawyer – in an effort to ensure a genuinely fair trial.

The Guardian - Opinion

In an effort to ensure that the privatised networks didn't fall into disrepair, governments guaranteed returns on network expenditure (which are recouped from us through increased charges).

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in an effort to ensure", ensure the action following the phrase directly contributes to the desired outcome for clarity.

Common error

While grammatically sound, overuse of "in an effort to ensure" can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms or rephrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in an effort to ensure" functions as an introductory adverbial phrase, indicating the purpose or intention behind an action. It sets the stage for explaining why something is being done, as confirmed by Ludwig and demonstrated in the various examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "in an effort to ensure" is a versatile phrase used to introduce actions taken with a specific purpose in mind. As affirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely employed across diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and formal business settings. While common, it's important to avoid overuse and vary sentence structure for engaging writing. Remember to ensure the action introduced directly contributes to the desired outcome. By considering the alternatives and usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate "in an effort to ensure" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with the aim of ensuring

Replaces "in an effort" with "with the aim", focusing on the intention or goal.

in order to ensure

Expresses the purpose more directly using "in order to" instead of "in an effort".

so as to ensure

Similar to "in order to ensure", this option emphasizes the intended outcome.

to make certain that

Uses a more direct and less formal expression to convey the same meaning.

to guarantee that

Focuses on guaranteeing the result, implying a stronger assurance.

with a view to ensuring

A more formal alternative that highlights the consideration of the desired outcome.

for the purpose of ensuring

Emphasizes the specific reason for taking action.

as a means of ensuring

Presents the action as a way to achieve the desired outcome.

striving to ensure

Focuses on the active attempt to achieve the result.

working to ensure

Implies ongoing effort and action towards a guaranteed result.

FAQs

How can I use "in an effort to ensure" in a sentence?

You can use "in an effort to ensure" to introduce an action taken with the specific goal of guaranteeing a particular outcome. For example, "The company implemented new safety protocols /s/in+an+effort+to+ensure the well-being of its employees."

What are some alternatives to "in an effort to ensure"?

You can use alternatives such as "with the aim of ensuring", "in order to ensure", or "so as to ensure" depending on the context.

Which is more appropriate, "in an effort to ensure" or "in order to ensure"?

"In an effort to ensure" and "in order to ensure" are both correct and often interchangeable. The choice depends on the desired tone and emphasis; the former implies a deliberate attempt, while the latter focuses on purpose.

What is the difference between "in an effort to ensure" and "in an attempt to ensure"?

The phrases "in an effort to ensure" and "in an attempt to ensure" are very similar. "Effort" suggests a sustained activity, while "attempt" may imply a single action. However, in most contexts, they can be used interchangeably.