lost effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"lost effort" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an effort that has not produced the desired outcome or result. Example sentence: "Despite her best efforts, her work ended in a lost effort."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Halladay managed a strong score of 72 in his losing effort.

The New York Times

Nigeria fared better against Argentina and looked dangerous in a losing effort.

The New York Times

R. A. Dickey (6-4) pitched well again for the Mets in a losing effort.

The New York Times

B.J. Benik allowed only four hits in a losing effort for Seton Hall 40-166).

The New York Times - Sports

In the snows of New Hampshire in February, there was poignancy to Clinton's losing effort.

The Guardian

Johnson guarded Chamique Holdsclaw, who scored 18 points in the Mystics' losing effort.

The New York Times - Sports

But last night, he played great, scoring 25 points in yet another losing effort.

The New York Times

Tasha Rodgers scored 29 points for the Bears (13-1) in the losing effort.

The New York Times - Sports

Against Buffalo, they gained the most rushing yards in a losing effort since 1944.

The New York Times - Sports

In the 1973 championship game, he scored 29 points in a losing effort against Coach John Wooden's powerful U.C.L.A. squad.

The New York Times - Sports

This time, he was able to engage in some deception that helped save a run in the Yankees' losing effort.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing with more descriptive terms like "futile attempt" or "fruitless undertaking" to add nuance.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "lost effort" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "waste of time" or "didn't work out" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost effort" functions as a noun phrase where "lost" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "effort". It typically describes a situation where invested work or resources have not yielded the desired outcome. Despite the lack of examples, Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lost effort" describes a situation where work or resources did not produce the desired result. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct, although its usage may lean towards more formal contexts. While no examples were available to analyze common usage contexts, alternative phrases like "futile attempt" or "fruitless undertaking" can offer similar meanings with potentially different connotations. When writing, consider the context and the specific nuance you wish to convey, ensuring clarity and impact when using the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

futile attempt

Indicates an attempt that is doomed to fail from the outset; emphasizes the inherent impossibility of success.

vain endeavor

Suggests an endeavor carried out with excessive pride or a lack of humility, ultimately resulting in failure.

fruitless undertaking

Emphasizes the lack of positive results or benefits derived from the undertaking.

abortive attempt

Implies an attempt that was cut short or prematurely terminated, preventing its completion.

unsuccessful venture

Focuses on the lack of success or profitability of a business or commercial venture.

failed initiative

Highlights the failure of a specific plan or project to achieve its objectives.

ineffectual measure

Suggests that the measure taken was inadequate or insufficient to produce the desired result.

misspent energy

Emphasizes the wasteful use of effort or resources on something unproductive.

wasted exertion

Highlights the unproductive and ultimately pointless nature of the physical or mental effort expended.

profitless activity

Focuses on the absence of tangible gains or returns from the activity.

FAQs

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

You can use "lost effort" to describe an action or attempt that did not produce the intended result. For example, "All his work ended in a "lost effort"".

What can I say instead of "lost effort"?

You can use alternatives like "futile attempt", "vain endeavor", or "fruitless undertaking" depending on the context.

Is "lost effort" the same as "wasted effort"?

While similar, "wasted effort" often implies negligence or carelessness in the undertaking, whereas "lost effort" simply indicates a lack of success regardless of the effort's quality.

When is it appropriate to use "lost effort" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "lost effort" in formal writing or when you want to emphasize the lack of a positive outcome despite dedicated work or resources. Using alternatives like "failed initiative" is also appropriate.