painful effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "painful effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where the effort required to achieve something is both challenging and causes discomfort or distress. Example: "Completing the marathon was a painful effort, but crossing the finish line made it all worthwhile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

It will take a long, costly and painful effort.

The Economist

Breaking such silences requires a conscious and painful effort.

The Guardian

The two singers mouthed into their microphones, their faces registering intense, and perhaps painful, effort.

The New Yorker

Eventually, with painful effort, I manage to force the terrible words through my lips.

The New Yorker

The investments went sour, and the result was a long and painful effort by the investors to recoup their losses.

The New York Times

It experimented with androgyny, and sex reversals, and clearly was a painful effort to demasculinise and broaden his writing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Europe had made admirable and painful efforts to reach internal unity to reduce carbon emissions.

The New York Times

Only the exhausting and painful efforts of beekeepers are keeping the species alive.

The New York Times

Not only has the Aulnay closure been accepted, but Mr Hollande has talked of "painful" efforts ahead.

The Economist

Mr. Hollande made a point of "saluting the Greek people" for their "painful efforts of the last two and a half years".

The New York Times

(Of course, these were the words of Bill and not Hillary – but the painful efforts to parse out where her politics begin and his end are specious.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a long and difficult process, use "painful effort" to convey both the labor involved and the discomfort or frustration experienced. For example, "The company's painful effort to restructure its debt took several years."

Common error

Avoid using "painful effort" in situations that are merely challenging but not genuinely distressing. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and sound melodramatic. Opt for alternatives like "significant effort" or "considerable work" when the situation doesn't warrant the stronger emotional connotation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "painful effort" functions as a noun phrase, where "painful" modifies the noun "effort". It describes the quality of the effort, indicating that it involves both difficulty and some degree of suffering or discomfort. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

21%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "painful effort" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that describes an undertaking characterized by both difficulty and distress. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears frequently in news and media contexts, denoting the arduous nature of various situations. While versatile, be mindful of using it in overly dramatic contexts to maintain its impact. Alternatives like "arduous endeavor" or "difficult struggle" can be considered depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arduous endeavor

Emphasizes the difficulty and strenuous nature of the effort.

grueling task

Highlights the exhausting and demanding nature of the task.

strenuous attempt

Focuses on the energy and exertion required in the attempt.

difficult struggle

Conveys a sense of hardship and opposition faced during the effort.

taxing undertaking

Emphasizes the draining and burdensome aspect of the undertaking.

challenging endeavor

Highlights the demanding and complex nature of the endeavor.

laborious process

Focuses on the extensive work and time required in the process.

trying experience

Emphasizes the testing and difficult nature of the experience.

onerous chore

Highlights the burdensome and unpleasant aspect of the chore.

demanding assignment

Focuses on the high expectations and requirements of the assignment.

FAQs

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

You can use "painful effort" to describe a situation where a lot of work is needed, but it is also causing distress. For example: "The country's economic recovery was a "painful effort"."

What can I say instead of "painful effort"?

You can use alternatives like "arduous endeavor", "difficult struggle", or "challenging endeavor" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a painful effort" or "an painful effort"?

It is correct to say "a painful effort" because "painful" starts with a consonant sound.

What's the difference between "painful effort" and "strenuous effort"?

"Painful effort" implies both difficulty and distress, while "strenuous effort" primarily emphasizes the high level of energy and exertion required.