make a genuine effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"make a genuine effort" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a sincere attempt at a task or endeavor. Example sentence: I will make a genuine effort to finish all of my work on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"Why not accept other companies who make a genuine effort to accept the principles?

The New York Times

If people want to make a genuine effort to preserve farmland, they've got to make the same effort to preserve farming.

The New York Times

It would be greatly to China's advantage to help, by pushing Pakistan, perhaps the closest of all its foreign friends, to make a genuine effort to halt violence there.

The Economist

The mere presence of the Pakistani leader in Washington was sufficient to ruffle India, which continues to see the general as duplicitous, and failing to make a genuine effort to contain terrorism.

The New York Times

"If Republicans don't make a genuine effort to negotiate to achieve health care reform, I certainly don't think there's a price to pay for doing it without them," said Joel Benenson, the president's pollster.

The New York Times

With political opposition mounting, the South Korean president knows that he is facing a deadline -- some say no later than this summer -- to persuade Kim Jong Il to make a genuine effort to begin making peace.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"I think the delegations are making a genuine effort to make a compromise".

The New York Times

But he also makes a genuine effort in "Imitations" to inhabit the shades of others.

The Economist

He stressed, again and again, the importance of making a genuine effort.

The New York Times - Books

Sykes, the former junior college athletic association president, questioned whether some members were making a genuine effort.

The New York Times - Sports

All concerned also appear to be making a genuine effort to understand and disclose what went wrong.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make a genuine effort" to convey sincerity and commitment in achieving a specific goal. It's suitable when highlighting the importance of the attempt itself, regardless of the outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "make a genuine effort" when you actually mean to convey a successful outcome. A genuine effort doesn't guarantee success; it simply means a sincere attempt was made. Use phrases like "succeed" or "achieve" when you want to indicate a positive result, not just the attempt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a genuine effort" functions as a verb phrase, often acting as the predicate of a sentence. It describes the action of sincerely attempting to do something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make a genuine effort" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that signifies a sincere and committed attempt to achieve a goal. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely applicable across various contexts, particularly in news, wiki, and scientific sources. While it doesn't guarantee success, it underscores the importance of honest intention. When using this phrase, ensure you are emphasizing the attempt itself, rather than a successful outcome. Consider alternatives like "make a sincere attempt" or "try earnestly" to fine-tune your message. The phrase serves to express intentions and evaluate attempts to resolve issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a sincere attempt

Replaces "genuine effort" with "sincere attempt", emphasizing honesty and earnestness.

try earnestly

Uses an adverb to highlight the seriousness and dedication in the attempt.

make a good-faith effort

Emphasizes honesty and sincerity in the attempt, often in a legal or formal context.

exert oneself sincerely

More formal and emphasizes personal exertion and sincerity.

put forth a real effort

Replaces "genuine" with "real" for a slight variation in emphasis on the authenticity of the effort.

give it one's best shot

Informal and suggests doing the best one can, even if the outcome is uncertain.

do one's level best

Indicates doing the absolute best one can, emphasizing commitment.

go the extra mile

Implies exceeding expectations and putting in more effort than what is strictly necessary.

throw oneself into

Suggests dedicating oneself completely and enthusiastically to a task.

strive wholeheartedly

Highlights striving with all one's heart and energy.

FAQs

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

You can use "make a genuine effort" to describe a sincere attempt to achieve something. For example, "The team will "make a genuine effort" to improve their performance next quarter".

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

Alternatives include "make a sincere attempt", "try earnestly", or "make a good-faith effort" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "made a genuine effort" or "did a genuine effort"?

"Made a genuine effort" is the correct and more common phrasing. "Did a genuine effort" is grammatically awkward and not idiomatic.

What's the difference between "make a genuine effort" and "try hard"?

"Make a genuine effort" emphasizes sincerity and commitment, while "try hard" focuses on the intensity of the attempt. The former suggests a deeper level of dedication.