ordinary efforts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ordinary efforts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe typical or standard attempts made to achieve something. Example: "Despite the ordinary efforts put forth by the team, the project did not meet its deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The game, as it turned out, matched the hype, despite ordinary efforts from Parker (7 points) and Okafor (8 points).

The New York Times - Sports

As a consequence of those ordinary efforts, his chase mark has been put in at 10lb lower than his hurdles rating but there's absolutely no reason why Lie Forrit can't be just as effective over fences.

The Guardian - Sport

Thus, in what I like to call the Great Asymmetry, every spectacular incident of evil will be balanced by 10,000 acts of kindness, too often unnoted and invisible as the "ordinary" efforts of a vast majority.

The Guardian

A couple of years later, at the mostly white high school he attended, in Ithaca, New York, he was usually the only black student in the courses he took, and that fact alone made his teachers and classmates treat him as exceptional: even his ordinary efforts won him a sort of astonished admiration.

The New Yorker

Ordinary efforts won't do.

Huffington Post

So Exxon's first "fact" oddly confirms the legitimate and ordinary efforts of state AGs to work together to get things done in the absence of Washington leadership.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But how do you define "ordinary effort"?

The New Yorker

In practice, "ordinary effort" describes, as Bill James wrote, what should have happened.

The New Yorker

But the definition of "ordinary effort" surely has to be expanded at the élite level.

The New Yorker

The scorer must believe "the fielder could have handled the ball with ordinary effort".

The New Yorker

"I was arguing or protesting that it was not an ordinary effort," Braves Manager Fredi Gonzalez told reporters after the game.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ordinary efforts", ensure the context clearly establishes a baseline expectation. This clarifies whether results fell short, met, or exceeded what was considered standard.

Common error

Avoid using "ordinary efforts" to describe situations where exceptional effort is clearly required. This can create a disconnect and diminish the impact of the message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ordinary efforts" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "ordinary" is an adjective modifying the noun "efforts". It refers to standard or typical attempts made to achieve something. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

16%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ordinary efforts" describes typical or standard attempts. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's a neutral term, ensure that the context aligns with the intention of expressing typical, rather than exceptional, attempts. Alternatives such as "usual attempts" or "standard endeavors" can be used to add variety to writing. Always consider whether the situation warrants emphasizing the ordinariness or if a different descriptor is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

usual attempts

Focuses on the typical nature of the attempts made.

standard endeavors

Highlights the common or expected nature of the efforts.

typical measures

Emphasizes the ordinariness of the steps taken.

routine procedures

Suggests established or regular methods.

common practices

Highlights efforts that are generally done or accepted.

conventional means

Focuses on using traditional or accepted methods.

run-of-the-mill actions

Suggests that the actions are not special or unique.

everyday steps

Highlights the common and mundane nature of the steps.

garden-variety attempts

Emphasizes that the attempts are typical and not exceptional.

unchallenging tasks

Focuses on the lack of difficulty or complexity involved.

FAQs

How can I use "ordinary efforts" in a sentence?

You can use "ordinary efforts" to describe typical attempts made to achieve something. For example: "Despite the "ordinary efforts", the project failed."

What's a good substitute for "ordinary efforts"?

Alternatives include "usual attempts", "standard endeavors", or "typical measures", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "ordinary efforts" or "extraordinary efforts"?

The choice depends on the context. "Ordinary efforts" describes typical attempts, while "extraordinary efforts" describes exceptional attempts. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the level of effort involved.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the term "ordinary efforts"?

Use "ordinary efforts" when you want to emphasize that the attempts made were typical or standard, without being exceptional or remarkable in any way.