make no effort

USAGE SUMMARY

'make no effort' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that someone is not putting any effort into achieving something. For example: "He made no effort to get a better grade on his final project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

If they make no effort to localise then it's a net disadvantage.

BBC

Genuinely hard people make no effort.

Harvard Business Review

But models that make no effort to account for this may be not be properly specified.

The New York Times

These blogs have tiny audiences and make no effort to sell advertising.

The Economist

"It shows what can happen if you make no effort to engage people.

The New York Times - Sports

"They should make no effort, except under extraordinary circumstances, to field competitive candidates.

The New Yorker

We make no effort to separate anatomical, physiological and clinical studies; rather, we hope to emphasize their interrelation.

Neuroscience

And most Kurds appeared to make no effort to encourage them to leave.

The New York Times

These thoughts rush through my head and I make no effort to deflect them, still less to examine them.

The New Yorker

Why make no effort to stay in touch with Bela or explain her decision to move to California?

The New York Times - Books

Why did she make no effort to retain custody of Veronica or reach a joint-custody agreement?

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make no effort" to clearly indicate a complete lack of attempt or exertion towards a specific goal or task. For greater impact, follow with the specific action or area where effort was lacking.

Common error

Avoid using "make no effort" when there is some, but insufficient, effort being made. The phrase indicates a complete absence of trying, not a minimal attempt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make no effort" functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of attempt or exertion toward a specific task or goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. The examples show this phrase describing negligence, apathy, or intentional avoidance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

28%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make no effort" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression indicating a complete lack of attempt or exertion. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is widely used across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. While generally neutral in tone, it often carries a negative connotation, expressing disappointment or criticism regarding a lack of action. To enhance clarity and impact, follow "make no effort" with specifics of where the effort was lacking. Alternatives like "exert no energy" and "put forth no attempt" can provide a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exert no energy

This alternative replaces "effort" with "energy", emphasizing the absence of physical or mental exertion.

put forth no attempt

This phrase substitutes "make" with "put forth" and "effort" with "attempt", highlighting the absence of any endeavor.

take no initiative

This alternative focuses on the absence of proactive action or drive.

show no inclination

This phrase suggests a lack of willingness or desire to do something.

display no interest

This alternative emphasizes the absence of enthusiasm or curiosity.

remain passive

This shorter alternative focuses on remaining inactive instead of actively avoiding effort.

not bother

This informal alternative describes the lack of effort.

abstain from trying

This phrase emphasizes a conscious decision not to try or make an effort.

do nothing

This alternative, while very broad, can sometimes imply a lack of effort in a specific situation.

shirk responsibility

This alternative describes avoiding something due to being unpleasant.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "make no effort" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "exert no energy" or "put forth no attempt". These alternatives convey a similar meaning but are more suitable for professional or academic contexts.

What does it imply when someone "makes no effort"?

When someone "makes no effort", it suggests a lack of motivation, interest, or willingness to engage with a particular task or situation. It implies a complete absence of any attempt to achieve a desired outcome.

Is it ever appropriate to use "make no effort" in a positive way?

Generally, "make no effort" has a negative connotation, implying a lack of engagement or responsibility. However, in very rare cases, it could be used ironically or sarcastically. For example, "He claims to be a genius but "takes no initiative" in applying his knowledge." In most cases, there are better word choices.

What's the difference between "make no effort" and "not try"?

"Make no effort" emphasizes the complete absence of any action or exertion, while "not try" simply indicates a failure to attempt something. "Abstain from trying" might imply a conscious decision, while "make no effort" could be due to apathy or disinterest.