make a great effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make a great effort" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the act of trying hard to achieve something or accomplish a task. Example: "She decided to make a great effort to improve her grades this semester."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"You have to make a great effort to get interested in British politics," he said.

The Guardian - Books

… My biggest criticism of all of us is that we didn't make a great effort to understand that.

The New York Times

They make a great effort not to become like the other New Leedsians, most of whom, drink too much.

The New Yorker

It's a mixed blessing but I do feel a bit liberated, although I make a great effort for my shows.

The Guardian

"If a buyer can't wait, the deal could fall apart," she said, "but I have 27 years of experience in real estate sales and I will make a great effort to find these sellers the right house".

The New York Times

Turkey's foreign minister, Abdullah Gul, said that Ankara would "make a great effort" to ensure that a settlement is reached, according to news agencies, but he said that reunification should not be a requirement for Turkey's admission.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

UNICEF has urged governments and leaders to make a greater effort to support and protect young peoples' right to live free from HIV and AIDS.

Unicef

With the Nexus 6, it may make a greater effort to capture sales.

The Guardian - Tech

Others insist that Tucson proves America must make a greater effort to deal with the mentally unstable in its midst.

Independent

Style comes full force as many women make a greater effort to dress for that magical time in New York.

The New York Times

Jason Dial, the president of Cota, also feels Formula One should make a greater effort to involve its fan base.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make a great effort", ensure the context clearly indicates the purpose or goal of the effort. This provides clarity and emphasizes the significance of the attempt.

Common error

Avoid using "make a great effort" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "try one's best", "go the extra mile", or "exert oneself" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a great effort" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of trying hard to achieve a specific goal. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

24%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make a great effort" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a strong attempt or endeavor. Ludwig confirms its correctness and widespread usage across diverse sources, including news, science, and general writing. While versatile, it's advisable to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "try one's best" or "go the extra mile" to maintain writing freshness. Its function is to communicate determination and commitment, fitting seamlessly into both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try one's best

Emphasizes the personal attempt and commitment to doing well.

give it one's all

Focuses on dedicating all available resources and energy.

go the extra mile

Suggests exceeding expectations and putting in additional effort.

put in a lot of work

Highlights the amount of labor and dedication involved.

strive mightily

Indicates a powerful and determined effort.

exert oneself

Implies a significant physical or mental exertion.

make every endeavor

Stresses the comprehensive and persistent nature of the effort.

bend over backwards

Suggests doing everything possible, even if it's inconvenient.

pull out all the stops

Signifies using every available resource and tactic.

leave no stone unturned

Implies a thorough and exhaustive search or attempt.

FAQs

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

You can use "make a great effort" to describe someone trying hard to achieve a specific goal. For example, "She decided to "make a great effort" to improve her grades".

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

Alternatives include "try one's best", "go the extra mile", or "put in a lot of work", depending on the context.

Is "make a great effort" formal or informal?

"Make a great effort" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

What is the difference between "make a great effort" and "make a greater effort"?

"Make a great effort" implies a substantial attempt, while "make a greater effort" suggests increasing the intensity or scope of an existing attempt. The latter indicates an adjustment from a previous level of effort.