make little effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make little effort" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone is not making much effort in achieving something. For example: "Despite asking for help, Jane made little effort to understand the material."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

They make little effort to disguise their computers.

The New York Times - Arts

But they make little effort to monitor such arrangements and keep no central records of them.

The New York Times

Philpot seemed to make little effort to hunt for an apartment.

The New Yorker

Most prisons make little effort to prevent sexual assaults and provide minimal attention for victims.

The New York Times

"That allows us to pay less in taxes and allows the state to make little effort to collect them".

The New York Times

At home, Chinese officials make little effort to conceal their view of journalism as a servant of the Communist Party.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

He made little effort to build coalitions.

The New York Times - Books

He made little effort to escape.

The New York Times

The sport has made little effort to woo the young.

The Economist

He famously makes little effort at realism in his films.

Independent

They made little effort to conceal their disdain.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make little effort", ensure the context clearly indicates the expected level of effort versus the actual effort exerted. This helps to emphasize the deficiency or lack of commitment.

Common error

Avoid using "make little effort" when describing a complete lack of effort. Instead, opt for phrases like "made no effort" or "did not attempt" to convey a total absence of action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make little effort" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of exerting a minimal or insufficient amount of energy towards a specific goal. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically correct and widely accepted. The phrase commonly implies a lack of commitment or diligence in a given task or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make little effort" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that expresses a lack of significant exertion or attempt. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various writing styles. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it serves to convey criticism or disappointment regarding insufficient dedication. When using this phrase, clarity in context is crucial to emphasize the disparity between expected and actual effort. Alternatives such as "exert minimal effort" or "barely try" can be used depending on the desired tone and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely try

Simplifies the phrase to its most basic components, focusing on the act of trying.

exert minimal effort

Focuses on the physical exertion aspect of the effort, implying a very small amount of energy used.

display scant effort

Emphasizes the visible lack of effort, using "scant" to highlight its deficiency.

show little inclination

Shifts the focus to a lack of willingness or desire to put in effort.

offer a feeble attempt

Highlights the weakness or inadequacy of the attempt made.

make a half-hearted attempt

Emphasizes the lack of enthusiasm or commitment in the attempt.

neglect to strive

Focuses on the absence of striving or pushing oneself to achieve something.

avoid exertion

Highlights the act of avoiding any significant effort or strain.

lack dedication

Shifts the focus to the missing quality of dedication needed to put in effort.

give it a lick and a promise

An idiom that means to do something poorly or incompletely.

FAQs

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

You can use "make little effort" to describe a situation where someone does not put much energy or enthusiasm into something. For example, "Despite being warned, he "made little effort" to improve his performance."

What's a more formal way to say "make little effort"?

In a more formal context, you could say someone "exerted minimal effort" or "demonstrated a lack of diligence". These alternatives convey a similar meaning while maintaining a professional tone.

What's the difference between "make little effort" and "make no effort"?

"Make little effort" implies some effort was made, but it was insufficient or minimal. "Make no effort", on the other hand, means that no attempt was made at all. The difference lies in whether any action, however small, was taken.

Are there situations where it's better to use "barely try" instead of "make little effort"?

The phrase "barely try" is suitable for informal contexts or when emphasizing the feebleness of the attempt. "Make little effort" is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal settings, providing a slightly more nuanced critique.