making a special effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making a special effort" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the act of putting in extra work or dedication to achieve a particular goal or outcome. Example: "She is making a special effort to improve her grades this semester by studying every night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

A year ago, Nablus was making a special effort to attract Israelis to its marketplace and its Turkish baths.

The New York Times

Under these pressures, the festival seems to be making a special effort to promote local interests.

The New York Times - Arts

Aid donors are making a special effort to give girls' education a push.

The Economist

This isn't because the big banks have been making a special effort to be customer-friendly.

The Economist

Emily's List, a political action committee that supports women running as Democrats, is making a special effort for Mrs. Clinton.

The New York Times

Several of the missionaries said they were making a special effort to reach "influencers" in the arts and communications.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

But they should anticipate adverse reaction and – with the opportunity to publish a response potentially a month (or a summer) away – make a special effort to incorporate diverging viewpoints within the same issue.

The New York Times

I made a special effort not to be".

The Guardian - Music

We make a special effort to surprise each other.

The Guardian

(Forty-five per cent made a "special effort" to buy American, according to a recent Gallup poll).

The New Yorker

He made a special effort not to drink on these weekends they shared.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "making a special effort", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific goal or outcome being pursued. This adds clarity and emphasizes the purpose of the extra effort.

Common error

Avoid overusing "making a special effort" in close proximity within your writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "going the extra mile" or "dedicating oneself" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making a special effort" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a deliberate and intensified attempt to achieve a particular goal. It highlights conscious dedication. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "making a special effort" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that indicates a deliberate and intensified attempt to achieve a particular goal. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various situations. When using this phrase, it's crucial to clearly specify the intended outcome and avoid overuse by considering synonyms such as "going the extra mile". This ensures clarity and maintains reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

putting forth extra effort

Similar to "making a special effort" but emphasizes the exertion of energy.

going the extra mile

Implies exceeding expectations or putting in more effort than is strictly necessary.

dedicating oneself

Focuses on committing time and energy to a particular task or goal.

concentrating efforts

Suggests focusing one's energy and resources on a particular goal.

exerting oneself

Suggests a significant application of energy or effort.

going out of one's way

Implies doing something that requires extra travel or inconvenience.

striving diligently

Highlights the persistent and careful application of effort.

taking pains

Emphasizes the care and attention given to a task.

bending over backwards

Suggests making a great effort, often to please someone.

applying oneself assiduously

Highlights a persistent and attentive approach.

FAQs

How can I use "making a special effort" in a sentence?

You can use "making a special effort" to describe someone putting in extra dedication to achieve something. For example: "She is "making a special effort" to improve her grades this semester.".

What are some alternatives to "making a special effort"?

You can use alternatives like "going the extra mile", "putting forth extra effort", or "dedicating oneself" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "make an effort" or "making a special effort"?

"Making a special effort" implies a greater degree of dedication compared to simply "make an effort". Choose the phrase that best reflects the intensity of the effort being described.

What's the difference between "making an effort" and "trying hard"?

"Making an effort" suggests a conscious attempt to do something, while "trying hard" emphasizes the level of difficulty and persistence involved in that attempt.