make a greater effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"make a greater effort" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used in many situations when you want to motivate someone to try harder at a task, or to express the need for more effort. For example: "If you want to succeed, you will need to make a greater effort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Tech

He said the film industry needs to make a greater effort to show that reality on screen.

The Guardian - Film

Some heavily taxed cities with large populations of poor children also make a greater effort than New York City.

The New York Times

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

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

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 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

Let's assume that you make a great effort at making a startup a success, and it fails.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make a greater effort", ensure the context clearly indicates the area where increased effort is needed. Be specific to avoid ambiguity. For example: "The team needs to make a greater effort in marketing their product."

Common error

Avoid using "make a greater effort" as a generic suggestion. Always specify the area or task requiring increased effort to provide actionable feedback. Instead of saying "You need to make a greater effort", specify what needs improvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a greater effort" primarily functions as an infinitive verb phrase, often used to express a recommendation, suggestion, or requirement for increased action or dedication. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make a greater effort" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to encourage or require increased dedication towards a goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely applicable across various contexts. While versatile, it's most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. To maximize its impact, specify the area needing improvement. Related phrases include "try harder", "put in more effort", and "increase dedication". When using this phrase, remember to provide context to ensure clarity and avoid generic suggestions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Put in more effort

Emphasizes the investment of work and energy.

Try harder

A more direct and simple way to convey the same meaning.

Strive harder

Focuses on the increased intensity of the attempt.

Exert more energy

Emphasizes the physical or mental resources expanded.

Make a renewed effort

Suggests starting over with additional effort after a possible failure.

Increase dedication

Highlights a stronger commitment to the task.

Apply oneself more diligently

Highlights the application of focused and consistent effort.

Double down on efforts

Suggests intensifying current efforts.

Go the extra mile

Suggests exceeding expectations and doing more than required.

Step up one's game

Implies improving performance to a higher level.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "make a greater effort"?

You can use alternatives like "try harder", "put in more effort", or "increase dedication" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "making a greater effort"?

Yes, "making a greater effort" is grammatically correct. It's the present participle form and can be used in continuous tenses, for example: "They are making a greater effort to improve their customer service".

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

"Make a greater effort" implies a need for more effort than previously exerted, while "make a great effort" simply means to try very hard. The former suggests a relative comparison to past attempts.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "make a greater effort"?

Use "make a greater effort" when you want to emphasize the need for increased dedication or energy to achieve a goal, especially when past efforts have been insufficient or when there's a specific area requiring more focus.