insufficient effort

USAGE SUMMARY

'insufficient effort' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation in which someone has not put in an adequate amount of effort on a certain task. For example: "John was not able to complete the assignment on time due to insufficient effort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Critics said Mr. Hashimoto's tenure was marked by an insufficient effort to turn around a failing economy.

The New York Times

Insufficient effort was made to investigate whether taxes had been paid on the money in these Swiss bank accounts.

The New York Times

Turkey, the diplomats said, is taken to task for having made an insufficient effort to prevent the ship from sailing.

The New York Times

We put insufficient effort into brokering national-level reconciliation between Iraq's elites and into ensuring checks and balances on the power of the executive.

The Guardian - Opinion

Several people here have been critical of what they said was an insufficient effort on the part of the government to help the group.

The New York Times

But continued disbursement of this money has been thrown into doubt because American officials have adjudged Honduras to have made insufficient effort to eliminate corruption.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

She apologised for "insufficient efforts, ill-preparedness and unskilfulness", for errors of methodology and sloppy data management.

The Guardian

What he and other critics of our troubled schools conveniently ignore is that insufficient efforts have been made to convert these schools into quality ones.

The New York Times

In December, under-secretary of community health Guillermo González said there were still insufficient efforts being made to reduce abortion-related complications.

The Guardian

Two years later, the Lawyers Committee issued a report, written principally by Haugen, documenting such abuses and the Manila authorities' insufficient efforts to prosecute them.

The New Yorker

"What worries me is that a migrant or refugee crisis has become what people are going to cast their vote on," he says, adding that he is dismayed by insufficient efforts of the UK government to help migrants in crisis.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "insufficient effort", clearly specify the task or area where the effort was lacking to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "insufficient effort" is the sole cause of failure; other factors like lack of resources or incorrect strategies can also contribute.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "insufficient effort" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a situation where the level of effort exerted is not adequate for the task at hand. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science & Research

2%

Unknown

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "insufficient effort" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that identifies a lack of adequate exertion towards a task or goal. Analysis from Ludwig shows that it appears commonly in News & Media and scientific contexts, typically with a neutral to formal register. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is appropriate for describing situations where the level of effort was inadequate. When writing, it's essential to clearly specify the area where the effort was lacking and avoid assuming it's the sole cause of a negative outcome. Consider using alternative phrases like ""inadequate attempt"" or ""lack of diligence"" to fine-tune your meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inadequate attempt

Emphasizes the deficiency in the execution or trial of an action.

limited application

Highlights the restricted scope or extent to which something is put to use.

lack of diligence

Focuses on the absence of consistent and careful attention to a task.

negligible input

Points out the very small or insignificant contribution made.

token gesture

Describes an action done merely as a formality, with little real commitment.

half-hearted measure

Suggests a lack of enthusiasm or sincerity in the action taken.

perfunctory action

Highlights that the action was carried out routinely and with minimal effort.

deficient work

Concentrates on the substandard quality or incompleteness of the output.

casual approach

Highlights the relaxed and informal way of handling a situation.

minimal exertion

Indicates that only the smallest amount of energy or effort was expended.

FAQs

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

You can say, "The project failed due to "insufficient effort" from the team" or "The student's poor grades are a result of "insufficient effort" in studying".

What are some alternatives to "insufficient effort"?

Alternatives include "inadequate attempt", "lack of diligence", or "limited application", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "not enough effort" instead of "insufficient effort"?

Yes, "not enough effort" is a more informal but equally valid way to express the same idea as "insufficient effort". The choice depends on the context and formality of your writing.

What's the difference between "insufficient effort" and "lack of effort"?

"Insufficient effort" implies that some effort was made, but it wasn't enough. "Lack of effort" suggests that there was virtually no effort exerted at all. Therefore, "lack of effort" is a stronger statement.