make minimal effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make minimal effort" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone is putting in very little effort or energy into a task or activity. Example: "In this project, I noticed that some team members tend to make minimal effort, which affects the overall outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As well, they make minimal effort at capturing the "sports specific" footwear, such as soccer, baseball, or football cleats, or related accessories.

Bplans

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Unemployment last year was officially 1.7% but with average monthly salaries of only $20 – supplemented by a ration book and free healthcare and education – many Cubans make minimal efforts, prompting an old joke: "They pretend to pay us and we pretend to work".

The Guardian

However, it has been argued that physicians appeared to make minimal efforts to foster patient involvement and autonomy that induce self-efficacy [ 2].

BMC Family Practice

And crafting a political campaign centred around the economy while making minimal effort to appeal to the poor and lower middle-class is an awkward strategy.

The Economist

Yet after making minimal effort to understand these voters, pundits caricature them as selfish idiots, normalizing hateful, bullying behavior and threats towards anyone who steps outside the collapsing two-party box.

The Guardian - Opinion

The scientists involved in the test lamented the "hairy-chested" and "indifferent" attitude of the officers, who gave the men under their command little information about radiation hazards and made minimal efforts to monitor their exposure.

The New Yorker

Google appears to be pushing sales of the device through multiple carriers, after making minimal efforts in previous years; although Nexus phones had a high specification and low cost, they were difficult to obtain because Google did not want to cut into sales of rival Android handsets.

The Guardian - Tech

"In effect, it appears that BP repeatedly chose risky procedures in order to reduce costs and save time and made minimal efforts to contain the added risk," wrote Henry A. Waxman, the committee chairman, and Bart Stupak, chairman of its subcommittee on oversight and investigations.

The New York Times

Macdonald and Sharp (2000) also noted that consumers often rely on their brand awareness in the decision making process because they want to conserve time and make minimal cognitive efforts in their purchasing decisions.

Fashion and Textiles

Do make minimal eye contact.

WikiHow

Well, that, on a very big scale, is what the Venezuelan government is allowing to happen right now.' 'The truth,' one senior police source said, 'is that if Venezuela were to make a minimal effort to collaborate with the international community the difference it would make would be huge.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to criticize someone's lack of engagement without being too harsh, use "make minimal effort". It's more tactful than saying they are lazy or incompetent.

Common error

Don't confuse "make minimal effort" with efficient work. While efficiency aims to achieve results with less wasted energy, "make minimal effort" often implies a lack of engagement or subpar performance. Efficiency is positive; minimal effort, in most contexts, is not.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make minimal effort" functions as a verb phrase describing the degree to which someone applies themselves to a task. It is commonly used to express disapproval or criticism of someone's lack of dedication. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is indeed correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make minimal effort" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a lack of engagement or application to a task. As Ludwig AI underlines, it's usable in written English to evaluate or criticize someone's performance. While it can be used across various contexts, it's crucial to avoid confusing it with efficiency. It's more suitable for neutral or professional communication, according to the register. Related phrases, such as "put in little effort" or "exert minimal effort", offer alternative ways to express a similar sentiment. Be mindful to use it accurately, remembering that it generally implies a negative assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exert minimal effort

Replaces "make" with "exert", focusing on the action of applying effort.

put in little effort

Uses simpler vocabulary, replacing "minimal" with "little" for a less formal tone.

invest minimal energy

Substitutes "effort" with "energy", highlighting the expenditure of energy rather than general effort.

do the bare minimum

An idiomatic expression that implies doing only what is strictly necessary.

give a cursory attempt

Emphasizes the superficial nature of the attempt made.

half-hearted attempt

Highlights the lack of enthusiasm or commitment in the effort.

slack off

An informal phrasal verb suggesting a reduction in effort or diligence.

take it easy

Suggests a relaxed approach with little exertion, though not always in a work context.

rest on one's laurels

Implies a cessation of effort due to past successes, often suggesting complacency.

cut corners

Indicates saving time and resources by sacrificing quality or thoroughness.

FAQs

What does it mean to "make minimal effort"?

To "make minimal effort" means to put in the least amount of work or energy possible to accomplish a task. It suggests a lack of dedication or engagement.

How can I avoid "making minimal effort" in my work?

Set clear goals, break tasks into smaller steps, and find ways to stay motivated and engaged. Consider seeking feedback and collaboration to maintain focus and commitment.

What are some alternatives to saying someone "makes minimal effort"?

Depending on the context, you could say someone "puts in little effort", "exerts minimal effort", or "does the bare minimum".

Is it always negative to "make minimal effort"?

While generally negative, there can be situations where "making minimal effort" is strategic. For example, if a task is low priority or yields diminishing returns, focusing energy elsewhere might be more efficient. However, this should be a conscious decision, not a default approach.