make a substantial effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make a substantial effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the need for significant work or dedication towards achieving a goal or completing a task. Example: "To succeed in this project, we must make a substantial effort to meet the deadlines and ensure quality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The difference is that the reward for the labor is deferred and indirect we have to make a substantial effort for no immediate gain first; only later do we reap the benefit.

Forbes

But it does mean that you should show enough respect for yourself and for your colleagues to make a substantial effort.

Huffington Post

When the oil industry and the Interior Department talk about "adequate spill response capacity," they really mean the ability to mobilize oil containment and removal equipment and to make a substantial effort to get oil out of the water or off the shoreline.

Huffington Post

bTwo-level factor: Instructor did or did not use active-learning exercises and otherwise make a substantial effort toward correcting misconceptions.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Our analysis revealed the two misconception factors ("explaining why misconceptions are incorrect" and "using active-learning exercises to make a substantial effort toward changing misconceptions") were positively associated with learning gains on the CINS-abbr (p = 0.045 and p = 0.048, respectively).

CBE Life Sciences Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"DuPont has made a substantial effort to recast itself and move into the life sciences and away from the commodity chemical business," Mr. Hittle said.

The New York Times

Early childhood researchers and advocates made a substantial effort to convey the long-term results to policy makers.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Researchers have made a substantial effort to identify the characteristics of the BE that affect CIM and thereby to inform city policy to promote CIM.

Journal of Transport Geography

"Clearly Bell Atlantic has made a substantial effort to open up their market," allows John Windhausen, president of a group of upstart local phone companies.

Forbes

He listens to feedback and makes a substantial effort to make it right.

Huffington Post

The Guild harshly criticized The Times for not only exceeding its target of 100 job cuts, but also for hiring a number of new workers without making a substantial effort to retrain veteran employees.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make a substantial effort", ensure the context clearly indicates what the effort is directed towards. Be specific about the goal or task to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "make a substantial effort" when a simpler phrase like "try" or "attempt" would suffice. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a substantial effort" functions as a verb phrase, where "make" is the main verb and "a substantial effort" is the noun phrase acting as the direct object. It indicates the action of exerting considerable energy or resources towards a goal, similar to what Ludwig AI's examples show.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make a substantial effort" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a significant commitment of resources or energy toward a goal. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While relatively uncommon, it appears in a variety of sources, predominantly in news, media, and science contexts. To ensure clear writing, be specific about the focus of the effort and avoid overuse. Alternative phrases, such as "commit significant effort", offer similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make every effort

Slightly different nuance, indicating all possible efforts are being made.

commit significant effort

Focuses on the commitment to the endeavor.

exert considerable energy

Focuses on the energy output required.

invest significant resources

Highlights the resources allocated to the effort.

dedicate considerable attention

Emphasizes the focus and attentiveness required.

put in a considerable amount of work

Highlights the amount of work involved.

devote significant time and energy

Emphasizes both time and energy commitment.

strive diligently

Highlights the persistence and care in the work.

try hard

A simpler, more informal alternative.

go the extra mile

An idiomatic expression for exceeding expectations.

FAQs

What does it mean to "make a substantial effort"?

To "make a substantial effort" means to put significant time, energy, and resources into achieving a goal or completing a task. It implies a serious and dedicated attempt.

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

You can use "make a substantial effort" when you want to emphasize the importance of dedicating significant resources or energy to a task. For instance, "The team had to make a substantial effort to meet the project deadline."

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

You can use alternatives like "commit significant effort", "exert considerable energy", or "make every effort" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "make a substantial effort" or "put in a lot of effort"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "make a substantial effort" often implies a more strategic and organized approach compared to "put in a lot of effort", which can suggest a less focused dedication. The best choice depends on the specific context you want to convey.