make a big effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"make a big effort" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone is making a great effort to accomplish something. For example, "We must make a big effort to reach our goals this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

As night falls, we make a big effort.

The New Yorker

"I had to make a big effort, have my antennas up all the times," he said.

The New York Times

We can make ourselves and the world better, but only if we make a big effort.

Independent

Whoever calls the couple should make a big effort to overlook their cluelessness.

The New York Times

When I'm not at work, I make a big effort to enjoy every day.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The club make a big effort to keep children entertained, especially around the food concourses.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

But that still leaves plenty of ways in which the United States could make a bigger effort for its FTAA partners, for many of whom agricultural exports are vital.

The Economist

He might also make a bigger effort to strengthen Germany's links beyond its special friendship with France to the east, to Britain, even to America.

The Economist

"He's made a big effort.

The Economist

We made a big effort, but we needed more points.

The New York Times - Sports

I think that we made a big effort in the first half, a great effort.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a team's accomplishments, use "make a big effort" to highlight the collective dedication and hard work involved. This adds emphasis to their commitment.

Common error

While versatile, consider alternatives like "try hard" or "do your best" in casual conversation to avoid sounding overly formal or stilted. Assess the tone of your writing to ensure the phrase aligns appropriately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a big effort" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a predicate in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It signifies undertaking a substantial attempt or committing significant resources to achieve a goal. The examples in Ludwig demonstrate its role in describing active attempts and intentional actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

16%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make a big effort" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that conveys dedication and determination. Ludwig AI validates its broad applicability across diverse contexts. While versatile, it's essential to consider the audience and adjust the tone accordingly, opting for more informal alternatives like "try hard" in casual settings. The phrase is commonly found in news articles, business reports, and formal communications. To enhance your writing, use "make a big effort" to emphasize commitment and significant investment of energy, ensuring that it aligns with the overall tone and message. Its widespread use and clear meaning make it a reliable choice for expressing purposeful action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exert considerable effort

Uses more formal language to convey the significant amount of energy expended.

spare no effort

Indicates a willingness to use any and all resources necessary.

try hard

Focuses on the intensity of the attempt, omitting the scale of the effort.

give it your all

Highlights the complete dedication of one's resources to a task.

put in a lot of work

Emphasizes the amount of labor involved, rather than the determination.

strive diligently

Focuses on the persistent and careful effort made over time.

go the extra mile

Implies exceeding expectations and going beyond what is required.

do your best

Implies putting forth one's maximum capability, regardless of the outcome.

bend over backwards

Suggests making excessive efforts, often to please someone.

take great pains

Stresses the careful and meticulous nature of the effort involved.

FAQs

How can I use "make a big effort" in a sentence?

You can use "make a big effort" to describe someone's dedication to a task. For example, "The team had to "make a big effort" to meet the deadline".

What are some alternatives to "make a big effort"?

Some alternatives to "make a big effort" include "try hard", "put in a lot of work", or "go the extra mile" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "make a big effort" or "try hard"?

"Make a big effort" emphasizes the scale of the effort, while "try hard" focuses on the intensity. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "make a big effort" and "make a special effort"?

"Make a big effort" implies a significant amount of work, while "make a special effort" suggests going above and beyond normal expectations. The phrase "make a special effort" often involves extra care or attention.