in their efforts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in their efforts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the attempts or actions taken by individuals or groups towards achieving a goal. Example: "The team was recognized for their dedication in their efforts to improve community relations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They aren't alone in their efforts.

The Washington Post

They failed in their efforts to have it postponed.

The New York Times

An estimated 13 people died in their efforts.

The Guardian

But neither side was interested in their efforts.

The New York Times - Books

Municipalities have been asked to incorporate stakeholder perspectives in their efforts to develop watershed management plans.

Landscape and Urban Planning

Republicans said after the votes that they would persist in their efforts to overturn the law.

The New York Times - Health

He said that he would "oppose Russia and Iran" in their efforts to buttress Assad's regime.

The New Yorker

As officers moved in to arrest the female suspect the officers were hindered in their efforts.

The New York Times

Spartans, in their efforts to toughen and exhibit their bodies, were also enthusiastic nudists.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Eventually, however, the Europeans became overly zealous in their efforts to convert Buddhist Siamese to Christianity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But in their efforts to unify restive Republicans, House leaders were only widening the partisan divisions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in their efforts" to emphasize the actions taken by a group or individual towards a specific goal. This phrase is particularly effective when highlighting persistence or dedication despite challenges.

Common error

Avoid using "in their efforts" when referring to a single, isolated action. The phrase implies a sustained and coordinated series of attempts rather than a one-time event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in their efforts" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating the means or manner by which someone is trying to achieve a goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. Examples show it used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in their efforts" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes actions taken to achieve a goal, emphasizing persistence and dedication. It's versatile across various registers, from formal academic writing to news reports. While alternatives like "in their attempts" or "in their endeavors" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to use it for sustained attempts, not isolated actions, to avoid misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in their attempts

Replaces "efforts" with a direct synonym, "attempts", maintaining a very similar meaning and grammatical structure.

in their endeavors

Substitutes "efforts" with another synonym, "endeavors", implying a more formal or ambitious undertaking.

in their striving

Uses the gerund form of "strive" to replace "efforts", shifting the focus to the act of trying.

as they tried

Rephrases the idea using a clause with "tried", changing the structure but keeping the meaning of attempting something.

while working towards

Expresses the idea of making an effort as part of working toward something.

in pursuit of their goals

Focuses on the aim or objective, replacing "efforts" with a broader phrase about aiming for goals.

to achieve their objectives

Highlights the intention to achieve goals, replacing "efforts" with a phrase that specifies achieving objectives.

in an attempt to

Focuses on the attempt made with the explicit goal of something.

through their actions

Replaces the idea of effort with concrete action taken.

with all their might

Emphasizes the intensity and strength of the effort exerted.

FAQs

How can I use "in their efforts" in a sentence?

You can use "in their efforts" to describe the actions taken by a group or individual toward achieving a goal. For example, "The team was commended "in their efforts" to improve community relations".

What are some alternatives to using "in their efforts"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in their attempts", "in their endeavors", or "as they tried", depending on the context.

Is "in their effort" grammatically correct?

No, "in their effort" is not typically grammatically correct. The correct phrase is ""in their efforts"", which implies multiple attempts or a sustained endeavor.

What's the difference between "in their efforts" and "for their efforts"?

"In their efforts" describes the actions taken, while "for their efforts" implies a reward or recognition given because of the actions taken.