practical effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"practical effort" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to describe an attempt to accomplish a goal or action in a hands-on way. For example, "We need to put in some practical effort to reduce our carbon footprint."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

For the first time, the business and scientific communities are collaborating in a concrete, practical effort to help create a truly sustainable planet.

The Guardian

American officials insist that certain tasks—such as uniting the multitude of different opposition factions and agreeing on a vision of Iraq's future must be completed before any practical effort can be made to dislodge President Saddam Hussein.

The Economist

There were many versions of the resulting article, lots of feedback from near and far, fact-checking, copy-checking and double-checking, all part of the practical effort to publish something as accurate as possible in a defined space at a time certain.

The New York Times

These liberals understood that the new war could not afford to be rigidly doctrinaire; it required a practical effort to understand realities in Europe and elsewhere, in order to know what would be necessary to prevent Communism from winning over individuals and countries.

The New Yorker

Jones describes an additional assignation of "guarantor" which would identify persons who invest substantial intellectual and practical effort in the research, and who are publicly responsible for ensuring the integrity of the entire project and the final publication.

Science Magazine

A common cause, defined in terms that are clear and specific enough to be addressed through a targeted, practical effort.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

A tour of the building highlights the practical efforts to promote a multi-faith ethos.

The Guardian

Second, they could align diverse practical efforts on the ground in response to conflict and disaster.

The Guardian

His book "The Reform of Parliament" (1964) led to his participation in practical efforts to change parliamentary procedure during the prime ministership of Harold Wilson.

The New York Times - Books

To assume that the practical efforts that followed from that decision were a burden would be to underestimate the degree of Mary's self-possession.

The New Yorker

Countless practical efforts at social and political reform drew inspiration from him and his disciples (the most famous of whom was John Stuart Mill).

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "practical effort", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific actions involved. For example, instead of saying "We need to put in some practical effort", specify "We need to dedicate practical effort to data collection and analysis".

Common error

Avoid using "practical effort" as a generic filler phrase. Replace it with a more specific description of the actual work being done, such as "implementing new strategies" or "conducting thorough research", to provide more clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practical effort" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective practical modifies the noun effort. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, denoting a tangible and hands-on approach.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "practical effort" is grammatically correct and usable in English. Ludwig AI indicates that it describes a hands-on approach to achieving a goal. While not extremely common, it appears in a variety of contexts including news, science, and business. The phrase is most effective when emphasizing tangible actions and results, and should be used with specific details rather than as a vague generality. Consider alternatives like "hands-on approach" or "concrete action" for variety. Ludwig examples also point out that is frequently used in authoritative sources such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and Huffington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hands-on approach

Emphasizes direct involvement and active participation in achieving a goal.

concrete action

Highlights the tangible and measurable nature of the effort.

tangible endeavor

Stresses the real and perceivable aspect of the undertaking.

real-world application

Focuses on applying theoretical knowledge to practical situations.

action-oriented approach

Highlights a focus on taking action rather than just planning or theorizing.

applied initiative

Suggests a proactive step taken with a clear practical purpose.

grounded attempt

Implies an attempt based on reality and practicality.

feasible step

Emphasizes the attainability and practicality of the action.

pragmatic measure

Focuses on the usefulness and effectiveness of the action.

workable solution

Highlights finding a resolution that is not only effective but also practical to implement.

FAQs

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

You can use "practical effort" to describe a tangible and hands-on approach to solving a problem or achieving a goal. For example, "The project requires significant practical effort to ensure its success".

What are some alternatives to "practical effort"?

You can use alternatives like "hands-on approach", "concrete action", or "tangible endeavor" depending on the context.

Is "practical effort" the same as "hard work"?

"Practical effort" emphasizes the hands-on, actionable nature of the work, while "hard work" simply emphasizes the intensity and dedication involved. "Practical effort" implies a focus on tangible results, while hard work doesn't necessarily guarantee a practical outcome.

When is it best to use "practical effort" in writing?

Use "practical effort" when you want to highlight the active and hands-on nature of an endeavor. It's particularly effective when discussing problem-solving, implementation, or the application of theoretical knowledge to real-world situations.