make a good effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"make a good effort" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to encourage someone to work hard. For example, "Let's make a good effort to finish this project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

You make a good effort.

The New York Times - Sports

But she does, she thinks, make a good effort to separate work and play.

The Guardian

But he has done enough poking and nuzzling around its waters to make a good effort at giving this dour, domestic, dramatic sea its vast, multilingual, beguiling due.

The Guardian - Books

At such times it becomes very important to assess what went wrong, to make a good effort to fix the things that can be fixed, and to allow the personnel who performed badly to spend more time with their families.

The Economist

Blaser: Another problem is that even when we make a good effort to collect all the relevant inputs when making a judgment, we are generally not very good at giving these inputs appropriate weight or combining them in a consistent way.

Harvard Business Review

You may not get everything done, but you'll make a good effort at reducing the feeling of being overwhelmed.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"People are making a good effort," said Jamael Medlock, 22, a senior who plays saxophone.

The New York Times

"You should stop giving money until the person makes a good effort not to corrupt.

The New York Times

"I can see Tasmania is making a good effort in this area but we will be the first," she said.

The Guardian

The senator made a good effort in New York, but did not get the turnaround victory he sought.

The New York Times

The Committee on Academic Performance CAPP) sometimes approves exceptions, as a "single deficiency," if the student makes a good effort but fails a subject during his or her last term before graduation.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make a good effort" when you want to encourage someone without setting unrealistic expectations. It acknowledges the attempt, regardless of the outcome.

Common error

Don't assume that "making a good effort" automatically guarantees a positive result. Acknowledge the effort, but be prepared to address potential shortcomings or areas for improvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a good effort" functions as a verbal phrase used to express encouragement or expectation of diligence. It signifies the act of attempting something with dedication, as supported by Ludwig examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

24%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

6%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make a good effort" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to encourage diligence and commitment. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and broad applicability. While versatile, it's important to consider the context, as more formal alternatives may be appropriate in certain professional settings. Remember that, according to best practices, acknowledging effort is crucial, but results still matter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try one's best

Focuses on personal commitment and exertion; slightly more informal.

do one's best

Similar to "try one's best" but implies a sense of completion or finality.

make an honest attempt

Highlights the sincerity and genuineness of the effort.

give it one's all

Emphasizes maximum effort and dedication.

put one's heart into it

Highlights emotional investment and passion.

make a serious attempt

Emphasizes the importance and intention behind the effort.

exert oneself

A more formal way of expressing effort or exertion.

apply oneself

Focuses on directing one's attention and energy towards a specific task.

strive diligently

Implies persistent and focused effort over time.

endeavor earnestly

A highly formal expression of sincere and dedicated effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "make a good effort" to encourage someone to try hard, as in, "Even if you don't win, "make a good effort"." It implies that the process and attempt are valuable, regardless of the outcome.

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

Alternatives include "try your best", "do your best", or "give it your all". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality desired.

Is it better to say "make a good effort" or "make an effort"?

"Make a good effort" implies a higher degree of commitment and intention than simply "make an effort". It suggests putting in significant energy and focus.

When is it appropriate to use "make a good effort"?

It's appropriate when you want to motivate someone, acknowledge their hard work, or emphasize the importance of trying, even if success isn't guaranteed. It can be used in academic, professional, or personal contexts.