paltry effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "paltry effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort that is considered insignificant, inadequate, or lacking in substance. Example: "Despite the team's enthusiasm, their paltry effort in completing the project left much to be desired."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"It seems like an extraordinarily paltry effort, given the scope of the crisis," said David Clohessy, the national director of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests.

The New York Times

Another century to Glenn Maxwell (119 and 3-52 withethe ball) lifted them from the mire but 309 was a paltry effort in the circumstances.

The Guardian - Sport

Even that paltry effort will depend on hand-outs from the World Bank and other donors.Hundreds of thousands of refugees will now want to head home from makeshift camps, mainly in Eritrea.

The Economist

That paltry effort, the budget office estimates, would extend coverage to a few million people who would otherwise be uninsured in 2019, leaving 52 million citizens and legal residents below Medicare age without coverage or about 17percentt of that population, right where it is today.

The New York Times

And here is me, wearing what is undoubtedly a paltry effort but nonetheless, a similar silhouette (WORK WITH ME).

Vice

But watching this universe begin with such a confusing, paltry effort is unintentionally hilarious, and it makes for great Hollywood schadenfreude.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

These are paltry efforts and largely private.

The New York Times - Arts

This offense can't go another year with such paltry efforts from the running game.

The Washington Post

Given that most customers are high income earners, the paltry efforts of some companies came as quite a surprise".

The Guardian - Money

If the thousands of lines written by a genius such as Tennyson are winnowed to a mere handful by history, where will that leave his paltry efforts?

The Guardian

And despite decades of talk, world governments have made paltry efforts to address the problem.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "paltry effort" when you want to express disappointment or criticism regarding the insufficient amount of work or resources dedicated to something. It's stronger than saying 'small effort'.

Common error

Avoid using "paltry effort" when simply describing something small in size. "Paltry" implies inadequacy, so it's not suitable for neutral descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "paltry effort" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "paltry" modifies the noun "effort". Ludwig AI indicates that it's used to describe something considered inadequate or insufficient.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "paltry effort" is a phrase used to describe an attempt or endeavor that is considered inadequate or insufficient. As Ludwig AI confirms, it carries a negative connotation, expressing disappointment or criticism. While grammatically correct, its usage is relatively uncommon. It appears frequently in "News & Media" sources. When aiming to convey the insufficiency of something, consider using synonyms such as "meager attempt" or "insignificant endeavor". Avoid using it in neutral descriptions. The phrase is clear and effective in conveying a sense of lacking substance or quantity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meager attempt

Replaces 'paltry' with 'meager', suggesting a similar lack of substance or quantity.

insignificant endeavor

Substitutes both 'paltry' and 'effort' with synonyms emphasizing the lack of importance or impact.

feeble attempt

Uses 'feeble' to describe the effort, highlighting its weakness or ineffectiveness.

minimal undertaking

Replaces 'effort' with 'undertaking' to focus on the task itself being small or reduced.

small-scale initiative

Emphasizes the limited scope and reach of the undertaking.

limited attempt

Highlights the constrained nature of the effort, suggesting it's not comprehensive.

minor endeavor

Replaces 'paltry' with 'minor' and 'effort' with 'endeavor', conveying a similar sense of unimportance.

trivial undertaking

Uses 'trivial' to suggest that the effort is of little value or consequence.

inadequate attempt

Directly states that the attempt is not sufficient or satisfactory.

token gesture

Suggests the effort was made more for appearance than genuine impact.

FAQs

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

You can use "paltry effort" to describe an attempt or endeavor that is considered inadequate or insufficient. For example: "The company's "paltry effort" to address the environmental concerns was met with public criticism."

What are some synonyms for "paltry effort"?

Alternatives to "paltry effort" include "meager attempt", "insignificant endeavor", or "feeble attempt". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "paltry effort" formal or informal?

"Paltry effort" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's more common in news and media or professional settings. It is not overly technical or colloquial.

What's the difference between "paltry effort" and "small effort"?

While both phrases describe an undertaking that is not large, "paltry effort" carries a stronger negative connotation, suggesting the effort was not only small but also inadequate or contemptible. "Small effort" is more neutral.