mammoth effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'mammoth effort' is correct and usable in written English.
It means a very great effort and is usually used to refer to a difficult task that requires a lot of hard work. For example, "John put in a mammoth effort to finish the project ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

So began the mammoth effort that probably shortened his life.

The Economist

"In terms of volume, scope and intensity of work involved, it's a mammoth effort".

The New York Times

On Monday evening, Xi declared his government's mammoth effort a resounding success.

The Guardian

The panel said a mammoth effort is needed, beginning now and carrying through the century, to decarbonize global energy systems.

The New York Times

"It's a mammoth effort by an awful lot of people and organizations and countries but holy moly, it's a very complex operation".

The New York Times - Health

Leicester's aim will be to out-run Chelsea in its own stadium four days after the mammoth effort it took Chelsea to defeat Napoli in extra time.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

The day after suspensions depleted the Knicks, the Heat withstood not only mammoth efforts from Starks and Larry Johnson but also the taunts and jeers of more than 19,000 people.

The New York Times - Sports

It testifies to the mammoth efforts that have been made in recent years to revive America's nuclear industry—and to the disappointing results.The half-built reactors at Vogtle are the first new ones to be approved in America since 1979, when a radioactive leak from Three Mile Island, a nuclear plant in Pennsylvania, ruined the industry's already troubled reputation.

The Economist

The change in the tone of city life was remarkable to behold, epitomized by Giuliani's mammoth efforts to clean up Times Square, an area once rife with crime and derelict buildings.

Forbes

Matt Prior will quite rightly get all the headlines for his superb match-saving century, but the mammoth efforts of Ian Bell and Stuart Broad should not be overlooked as they skilfully batted out time before clearing the stage for Monty Panesar to prove once again that he is the coolest customer in cricket!

BBC

While the mammoth efforts are unlikely to succeed, it's conceivable that we might revive more recently deceased creatures like passenger pigeons within the next couple of decades (which conservationists fear could make extinction seem less dire than it does now).

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mammoth effort" to emphasize the scale and intensity of a task, especially when highlighting the dedication and resources involved. For example, "The company launched a "mammoth effort" to overhaul its outdated infrastructure."

Common error

Avoid using "mammoth effort" for tasks that are not particularly complex or demanding. Using it in trivial contexts can dilute its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mammoth effort" functions as a noun phrase, where "mammoth" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "effort". It signifies a task or undertaking that is exceptionally large, complex, and requires significant resources and dedication. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

11%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mammoth effort" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a large, demanding undertaking. Ludwig AI shows that it appears frequently in news and formal business contexts, conveying the scale and intensity of a project or task. Alternatives include "colossal undertaking" and "Herculean task". When using this phrase, ensure the context justifies its strong emphasis to avoid sounding hyperbolic. Its consistent usage across authoritative sources confirms its validity and effectiveness in conveying significant endeavors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

colossal undertaking

Emphasizes the scale and complexity of the effort as a project.

Herculean task

Highlights the difficulty and strength required, referencing the labors of Hercules.

monumental endeavor

Stresses the significance and lasting impact of the effort.

extensive undertaking

Focuses on the breadth and scope of the work involved.

substantial endeavor

Indicates a considerable amount of effort and resources.

major undertaking

Highlights the importance and scale of the project.

considerable task

Emphasizes the amount of work and thought required.

significant endeavor

Focuses on the importance and impact of the work.

tremendous project

Stresses the large size and complexity of the project.

intensive operation

Highlights the focused and concentrated nature of the work.

FAQs

How can I use "mammoth effort" in a sentence?

You can use "mammoth effort" to describe any undertaking that requires significant resources and dedication. For example: "The team launched a "mammoth effort" to meet the project deadline".

What is a synonym for "mammoth effort"?

Alternatives to "mammoth effort" include "colossal undertaking", "Herculean task", or "monumental endeavor", all emphasizing the scale of the work involved.

Is it appropriate to use "mammoth effort" in formal writing?

Yes, "mammoth effort" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when you want to emphasize the significant scale and intensity of an undertaking. It is commonly found in news reports and formal business contexts.

What's the difference between "mammoth effort" and "great effort"?

"Mammoth effort" implies a larger scale and greater intensity than "great effort". While both describe substantial work, "mammoth effort" suggests a more extensive and resource-intensive undertaking.