made a sustained effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made a sustained effort" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to put in continuous and determined effort towards achieving a goal or completing a task. Example: Despite facing numerous setbacks and challenges, she made a sustained effort to finish her novel and eventually published it to critical acclaim.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But how many made a sustained effort in that direction?

The Guardian - Books

Over the past couple of years, he has made a sustained effort to reach out to the black community, offering a message of hope and enterprise.

The New Yorker

Bristol city council said members of Occupy Bristol had made a "sustained" effort to help with the clean-up of the site, which is owned by Bristol cathedral.

The Guardian

In our opinion, and that of Ljajic and Deputy PM Dulic-Markovic, neither the PM nor the government has made a sustained effort to address our first proposal.

The Guardian

In the 1960s (the last time that the United States made a sustained effort to use science diplomacy to build international partnerships), the concept was marred by ties to propaganda campaigns and intelligence operations.

The Guardian

However, there was a key difference: China made a sustained effort to control the value of its currency, the renminbi, which resulted in a huge accumulation of reserve dollars.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Mr. Obama is making a sustained effort to capture from the Republican column Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia.

The New York Times

And, as always, the United States and other nations must make a sustained effort to cut the demand for narcotics that finance these violent groups.

The New York Times

Foreign governments are to make a sustained effort to cooperate with the international community, assist in the prosecution of traffickers, and protect victims of trafficking.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I'm curious as to how editors select which announcements to publish, and why editors don't make a sustained effort to include different types of couples.

The New York Times

On Iraq, Mr. Kerry called on Mr. Bush to make a "sustained effort" in the coming weeks to build international support, including at a summit meeting that will be held in Istanbul next month just days before the scheduled handover of Iraqi sovereignty to a transition government.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "made a sustained effort", ensure that the context clearly indicates the specific goal or objective towards which the effort was directed. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "made a sustained effort" without specifying the area where the effort was applied. For example, instead of saying 'The team made a sustained effort', specify 'The team made a sustained effort to improve customer satisfaction'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made a sustained effort" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of consistently and persistently trying to achieve a particular goal. Ludwig AI shows examples where it's used to describe efforts in various contexts, from personal development to organizational goals.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "made a sustained effort" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that describes a continuous and determined attempt to achieve a specific goal. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is suitable for various contexts, including news, business, and academic writing. When using this phrase, it's essential to specify the area where the effort was applied to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "exerted considerable effort" or "dedicated significant energy", depending on the desired nuance. Remember that a sustained effort implies consistency and duration, distinguishing it from a one-time exertion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exerted considerable effort

Emphasizes the amount of effort expended, focusing on exertion.

dedicated significant energy

Highlights the commitment of energy resources, emphasizing dedication.

invested continuous time

Focuses on the temporal aspect of the effort, highlighting the ongoing investment of time.

persevered relentlessly

Stresses the tenacity and unwavering nature of the effort, emphasizing perseverance.

maintained persistent action

Highlights the consistent nature of the action taken, emphasizing persistence.

applied consistent dedication

Focuses on the unwavering commitment and application of effort, emphasizing dedication.

strove continuously

Emphasizes the active and ongoing striving towards a goal.

worked tirelessly

Highlights the absence of rest and the diligent nature of the work.

put forth ongoing commitment

Emphasizes the continued dedication and investment in the endeavor.

endeavored persistently

Focuses on the sustained and determined nature of the endeavor.

FAQs

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

You can use "made a sustained effort" to describe a continuous and determined attempt to achieve something. For example: "The company "made a sustained effort" to reduce its carbon footprint."

What is a more formal way to say "made a sustained effort"?

In a more formal context, you could use phrases like "exerted considerable effort", or "dedicated significant energy" to convey a similar meaning while maintaining a professional tone.

Which is correct: "make a sustained effort" or "made a sustained effort"?

"Made a sustained effort" is the past tense form, used to describe an effort that has already occurred. "Make a sustained effort" is the infinitive or present tense, suggesting a future or ongoing effort. The correct form depends on the context.

What's the difference between "made a sustained effort" and "made a great effort"?

"Made a great effort" implies a significant amount of effort exerted at a specific point in time. "Made a sustained effort" implies a continuous and consistent effort over a longer period. The phrase "made a sustained effort" emphasizes duration and consistency.