make any effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"make any effort" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you could use it in the sentence, "He refused to make any effort to finish the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They don't understand and don't make any effort to understand".

The New York Times

Charlie wouldn't go or make any effort to help him.

The New Yorker

So, I remember thinking, why make any effort to change?

The New York Times - Health

Did you make any effort to find out?

The New Yorker

You do not make any effort beyond listening and repeating.

The Guardian - Travel

Attached to the bills were financial appropriations, which make any effort at voter repeal more arduous.

The New York Times

The agency that sent me there didn't make any effort to vet him.

The Guardian

He blamed its demise on its refusal to make any effort to entice viewers.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

But after freedom, the government didn't make any efforts to uplift Muslims".

The New York Times

Did Facebook make any efforts to retrieve or delete data, the committee also asked Wylie.

TechCrunch

Sleeping Beauty didn't even have to make any efforts.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make any effort" when you want to emphasize a lack of attempt or action. It clearly conveys that someone did not try to do something.

Common error

Avoid using "make any effort" when you mean "making an effort". "Make any effort" suggests a complete absence of trying, whereas "making an effort" implies that some attempt, however small, was made.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make any effort" primarily functions as a verb phrase used to describe the act of attempting or trying to achieve something. It often appears in negative constructions, indicating a lack of such attempt, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make any effort" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the presence or absence of trying to achieve something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide usage. As demonstrated by the examples, it's frequently used in News & Media and Scientific contexts. The phrase is often used in negative constructions, implying a lack of action. While alternatives like "try at all" or "make an attempt" exist, "make any effort" effectively conveys a clear absence of trying in various situations. Remember to avoid confusing it with "making an effort", which implies some attempt was made.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make an attempt

More formal, highlighting the act of attempting something.

try at all

Simple and direct, indicating a lack of trying.

lift a finger

Idiomatic expression indicating minimal effort.

exert oneself

This alternative focuses more on the personal exertion required.

strive in the slightest

Emphasizes a minimal degree of striving or exertion.

put in any work

Emphasizes the labor or activity involved in trying.

undertake any endeavor

Formal and emphasizes the undertaking of a task.

take action

Focuses on initiating steps towards a goal.

make some strides

Implies progress as a result of effort.

show initiative

Highlights the proactive nature of making an effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "make any effort" to indicate a lack of attempt or action towards a goal. For example, "He didn't "make any effort" to complete the project."

What are some alternatives to "make any effort"?

Alternatives include "try at all", "make an attempt", or "exert oneself", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "didn't make no effort"?

No, "didn't make no effort" is a double negative and grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "didn't "make any effort"" or "made no effort."

What's the difference between "make any effort" and "put in effort"?

"Make any effort" is often used in negative contexts to indicate a lack of attempt. "Put in effort", however, describes the action of trying and working hard towards something.