insignificant effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "insignificant effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a level of effort that is minimal or not substantial in relation to a task or goal. Example: "The project was completed with such insignificant effort that it barely met the basic requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

They are a sign of how the company continues to ramp up its international profile, not an insignificant effort because of the various clones — two European competitors for example are 9Flats and the Rocket Internet-backed Wimdu — that are emerging to meet demand.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

When I was studying piano, I foolishly decided that this was one of the Master's more insignificant efforts, and skipped forward to the Sonata in B Flat, which has a way of sounding unutterably sublime even in the hands of a bumbling amateur.

The New Yorker

We conducted a further analysis to investigate if the insignificant effect of effort on consumers' intention to use a health recommendation system might be explained by a second mediation effect, such that the impact of effort on consumers' intentions is mediated by perceived usefulness.

BMC Health Services Research

While the proposals were not insignificant, earlier efforts at change have faltered because of an entrenched bureaucracy and the Kremlin's unwillingness to dilute its power by making the police more independent and providing rigorous oversight.

The New York Times

Any compensation is insignificant for the effort that has gone in".

The Guardian - Sport

These results are consistent with the anticipated cumulative effect of the insignificant increase of computational effort for the considered configuration and the close to linear speedup of computational performance.

Journal of Systems Architecture

A shadow cabinet source said Corbyn's position had been pre-agreed, but there had been some concern among parliamentary colleagues that he was not sending out the right message by failing to back a measure aimed at cutting immigration and also that being too critical of the proposals would help Eurosceptics who want to portray Cameron's efforts as insignificant.

The Guardian

The principal author of the Wikipedia article, reached via his user page there, wrote in an e-mail message that he considered the damages "insignificant," and had "made no effort to contact the author or publisher".

The New York Times - Tech

The PCR-based efforts yielded an insignificant number of gaps being closed (supplementary table S1, Supplementary Material online), whereas ordering of the fosmid library is still work in progress.

Genome Biology and Evolution

His efforts at patient education felt insignificant though they were in keeping with his belief in the mission of medicine.

The Guardian - Opinion

In New York, for example, the old Hayden Planetarium's cozy, human-centered exploration of space is displaced by the Rose Center's vigorous efforts to show just how insignificant the human is, given the expanses of cosmic space and time.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "insignificant effort" to downplay achievements or contributions, especially in contexts where humility or modesty is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "insignificant effort" when describing actions that clearly had a significant or disproportionate impact. This can create a mismatch between the described action and its result, undermining your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "insignificant effort" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "insignificant" modifies the noun "effort". Ludwig AI confirms its use in describing actions that require minimal energy. This often serves to downplay the importance or impact of the effort exerted.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "insignificant effort" is grammatically correct and functions as a noun phrase to describe actions or tasks that require minimal exertion. Ludwig AI confirms its use across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business, with a neutral register. When using this phrase, be mindful of accurately representing the relationship between effort and impact, avoiding overstatements that might undermine credibility. Alternatives such as "minimal exertion" or "negligible attempt" can be considered for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimal exertion

Replaces "effort" with "exertion", slightly shifting the focus to the physical energy expended.

negligible attempt

Substitutes both words, implying the effort was so small it's almost nonexistent.

slight endeavor

Uses "endeavor" for "effort" and "slight" for "insignificant", softening the tone.

trivial undertaking

Replaces both words, conveying that the effort was unimportant and small in scale.

modest application

Focuses on the application of effort, describing it as not extensive or ambitious.

token gesture

Implies the effort was made only as a symbolic act, rather than a genuine attempt.

perfunctory measure

Suggests the effort was done routinely or superficially, lacking real commitment.

small contribution

Shifts the perspective to the result of the effort, highlighting its limited impact.

light touch

Emphasizes the gentleness and lack of force in the application of effort.

limited input

Highlights the small amount of resources or energy invested.

FAQs

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

You can use "insignificant effort" to describe an action that required very little energy or resources, such as: "The task was completed with such "insignificant effort" that it barely met the basic requirements".

What's a good alternative to "insignificant effort"?

Alternatives include "minimal exertion", "negligible attempt", or "slight endeavor", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "insignificant effort" in formal writing?

Yes, "insignificant effort" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when objectively describing the level of effort involved in a task or project. However, be mindful of the potential for misinterpretation and ensure the context is clear.

What's the difference between "insignificant effort" and "half-hearted attempt"?

"Insignificant effort" focuses on the amount of energy expended, while "half-hearted attempt" implies a lack of enthusiasm or commitment. You might exert "insignificant effort" because a task is easy, but a "half-hearted attempt" suggests a lack of motivation.