made a major effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made a major effort" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a significant attempt or endeavor to achieve something. Example: "The team made a major effort to complete the project ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

And so I really made a major effort on that.

The Washington Post

After World War II, Europe made a major effort to democratize its education systems.

The New York Times

Beginning last May, I made a major effort to bring us back together.

The New York Times

David Warsh has now made a major effort to fill that gap.

The New York Times - Books

"We made a major effort to inform parents through mail, student backpacks, freshman orientation and parent-teacher meetings," she said.

The New York Times

Ms. Hanover also said: "Beginning last May, I made a major effort to bring us back together.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

He also said the government was making a major effort to bring more Jews to Israel.

The New York Times

Today, Cisco is making a major effort to sell Telepresence rooms to corporations for $40,000 to $300,000 each.

The New York Times - Tech

"CUNY is clearly making a major effort to improve its program," said Richard P. Mills, the state education commissioner.

The New York Times

President Nixon and his fellow Republicans are making a major effort to capture control of the Senate.

The New York Times

The study is being published as the E.P.A. is making a major effort to clean up diesel engines, a major source of particulate pollution.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this phrase, be specific about the goal or outcome the effort was directed towards. This provides context and adds impact to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "made a major effort" if the results do not reflect the purported level of effort. Ensure that the outcome aligns with the scale of the endeavor you're describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made a major effort" typically functions as a verbal phrase within a sentence. It describes the action of exerting considerable energy or resources towards a particular goal. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "made a major effort" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a significant attempt or endeavor. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness and common usage across diverse sources, particularly in news and media. While the phrase is generally neutral, its formality can shift based on the context, and synonyms like "exerted considerable energy" or "put forth a substantial attempt" can add nuance. Remember to use this phrase when the scale of the attempt truly warrants it, and avoid overstating the impact without supporting evidence. As Ludwig's examples demonstrate, this phrase adds impact and clarity when used appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tried exceptionally hard

Simple substitution emphasizing the intensity of the attempt.

exerted considerable energy

Replaces "effort" with "energy" and "major" with "considerable", emphasizing the amount of energy expended.

put forth a substantial attempt

Substitutes "made" with "put forth", "major" with "substantial", and "effort" with "attempt", offering a more formal tone.

gave it one's all

An idiomatic expression indicating a complete dedication of effort and energy.

devoted significant resources

Focuses on the investment of resources rather than general effort, implying a strategic allocation.

went to great lengths

Indicates that significant and perhaps unusual measures were taken to achieve something.

invested heavily in

Highlights a strong commitment, often involving time or money, to achieve a specific goal.

worked diligently

Emphasizes the consistent and careful work done, rather than the scale of the effort.

strived strenuously

Implies a high level of exertion and determination in the attempt.

endeavored greatly

Offers a more formal and somewhat archaic alternative, stressing the earnestness of the attempt.

FAQs

How can I use "made a major effort" in a sentence?

Use "made a major effort" to describe a significant attempt to achieve something, such as, "The company "made a major effort" to reduce its carbon footprint".

What are some alternatives to "made a major effort"?

You can use alternatives like "exerted considerable energy", "put forth a substantial attempt", or "devoted significant resources" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "made a major effort" or "made a great effort"?

Both ""made a major effort"" and "made a great effort" are correct, but "major" implies a more strategic or impactful endeavor than "great".

What's the difference between "made an effort" and "made a major effort"?

"Made an effort" suggests any attempt was made, while ""made a major effort"" emphasizes that the attempt was substantial and significant.