make a special effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"make a special effort" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You would use this phrase to indicate that someone needs to go out of their way to complete a task or reach a goal. For example, "If you really want to get that promotion, you'll have to make a special effort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But they should anticipate adverse reaction and – with the opportunity to publish a response potentially a month (or a summer) away – make a special effort to incorporate diverging viewpoints within the same issue.

The New York Times

We make a special effort to surprise each other.

The Guardian

Finally, make a special effort to read outside existing partisan categories entirely.

The New York Times

Like the Daum, the Contemporary will make a special effort to spotlight artists from the Midwest.

The New York Times - Arts

However, residents say they make a special effort to patronize establishments on Main Street.

The New York Times

"I did make a special effort to be there," Denney said Wednesday by telephone from Buffalo.

The New York Times

Eventually, Yellen will have to make a special effort to show that worries about inflation keep her up at night.

The New Yorker

"We have to make a special effort of getting ourselves prepared to play right from the get-go," Brodeur said.

The New York Times

In his guilty plea, Dr. Waksal seemed to make a special effort to protect family members who may face charges.

The New York Times

Unions also plan to make a special effort regarding the 25percentt of union members they view as swing voters.

The New York Times

Five years ago, it began to make a special effort to welcome gay men, lesbians and transsexuals to join.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make a special effort", ensure that the context clearly indicates the purpose or goal of the effort. Be specific about what actions are being taken to achieve the desired outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "make a special effort" repeatedly in close proximity within your writing. Vary your language by incorporating synonyms or alternative phrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a special effort" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a deliberate action taken to achieve a specific goal. Ludwig examples show its common usage in diverse contexts, from personal commitments to professional responsibilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make a special effort" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a deliberate attempt to achieve something, highlighting intention and commitment. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread and appropriate usage across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and business domains. While grammatically correct and very common, varying your language by incorporating alternatives like "go the extra mile" can enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go the extra mile

Implies exceeding expectations and putting in additional effort.

bend over backwards

Suggests doing whatever it takes, even if it's difficult or inconvenient.

spare no effort

Implies dedicating all available resources and energy to a task.

try one's best

Emphasizes putting in maximum effort without guaranteeing success.

put one's heart into it

Highlights the emotional investment and dedication involved.

take pains

Focuses on meticulous attention to detail and careful execution.

devote oneself

Emphasizes dedicating one's time, energy, and attention to a specific cause or goal.

exert oneself

A more formal way of saying someone is putting in considerable physical or mental effort.

strive

Focuses on the continuous and determined effort towards a goal.

make a point of

Suggests doing something deliberately and intentionally.

FAQs

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

You can use "make a special effort" to describe intentionally putting in extra energy or attention. For example, "I will "make a special effort" to arrive on time for the meeting".

What does "make a special effort" mean?

"Make a special effort" means to put in more than the usual amount of effort or attention towards a particular task or goal. It implies a conscious and deliberate attempt to achieve something.

What can I say instead of "make a special effort"?

You can use alternatives like "go the extra mile", "try one's best", or "take pains" depending on the context.

Is "make a special effort" formal or informal?

"Make a special effort" is generally considered a neutral phrase, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the specific situation.