make a decent effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make a decent effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when encouraging someone to try hard enough to achieve a satisfactory result in a task or activity. Example: "Even if you don't succeed, it's important to make a decent effort in your studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Tell it to "phone home" and it'll make a decent effort to find the relevant number.

The Guardian - Opinion

When you're preparing to set off on a backpacking trip from Devon to Southeast Asia, you probably make a decent effort to plan things properly.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

John McCain has made a decent effort to reach out to them.

The Economist

A clutch of younger BJP figures, such as Smriti Irani, who made a decent effort of confronting Rahul Gandhi, Congress's scion, in his constituency in the campaign, are rewarded with government jobs too.The second welcome initiative was to invite leaders from all the neighbouring countries.

The Economist

For five yuan ($0.73) swarms of scooter drivers are willing to deliver almost anything to anyone in Shanghai and many other cities in less than an hour, although how they make a decent return on their frenetic efforts is a mystery.

The Economist

The club held a celebratory dinner, at which the chairman congratulated the players, exhorted them to redouble their efforts to make a decent showing in the First Division, and appealed to their continuing loyalty.

Wikipedia

It would make a decent TV series.

Independent

Agile producers still make a decent living.

The Economist

So who would make a decent Darrin?

The New Yorker

You could make a decent earning.

The New York Times

It would make a decent play.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make a decent effort" to encourage sustained engagement and prevent discouragement. Framing expectations as 'decent' rather than 'outstanding' can reduce anxiety and promote continuous improvement.

Common error

Avoid using "make a decent effort" when the situation demands exceptional performance. This phrase suggests adequacy rather than excellence, so use it when aiming for a good, solid result is sufficient, not when perfection is the goal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a decent effort" functions as a directive or encouragement, urging someone to exert themselves sufficiently to achieve a satisfactory result. It is commonly used to motivate action without demanding perfection, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make a decent effort" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression for encouraging someone to try adequately to achieve a satisfactory outcome. According to Ludwig, the phrase appears frequently in news and media, as well as in wikis and general contexts, indicating a neutral register. To provide motivation without the pressure of perfection, use "make a decent effort", or alternatives such as "put in a good effort". Just ensure that you set proper expectations with the receiver. This helps promote engagement and prevent discouragement in a wide range of scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a genuine attempt

Highlights the sincerity of the attempt.

make a solid attempt

Highlights the quality of the attempt.

put in a good effort

Focuses on the action of 'putting in' effort, implying dedication.

make a credible effort

Highlights the believability or plausibility of the effort.

try one's best

Highlights the attempt to achieve the highest personal standard.

give it a shot

Emphasizes the attempt or try, often used when the outcome is uncertain.

make a valiant attempt

Emphasizes the courage and determination in the effort.

do one's utmost

Stresses doing the most possible.

exert oneself

Focuses on the physical or mental effort expanded.

give a fair trial

Implies impartial and adequate attempt or test of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "make a decent effort" to encourage someone to try their best even if they don't succeed perfectly, as in "Even if you don't win, it's important to make a decent effort".

What are some alternatives to saying "make a decent effort"?

Alternatives include "put in a good effort", "try one's best", or "give it a shot" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "make a decent effort" or "try your hardest"?

"Make a decent effort" sets a more realistic expectation, focusing on adequacy, while "try your hardest" emphasizes maximum exertion. The best choice depends on the specific situation and desired outcome.

What does it mean to "make a decent effort"?

To "make a decent effort" means to try reasonably hard and to put in enough work to achieve a satisfactory, though not necessarily exceptional, result.