put more effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"put more effort" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to encourage someone to work harder on a specific task. For example, "If you want to earn a higher grade, you'll need to put more effort into your next assignment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Buscemi put more effort into wrestling.

The New York Times

Asian countries should put more effort into non-traditional security.

The Economist

"We have to put more effort on the court.

The New York Times - Sports

"I put more effort into basketball than anything else.

The New York Times - Sports

I put more effort into answering random entreaties from students trying to place articles.

The New York Times - Magazine

They put more effort into advertising the health benefits of baby foods.

The Economist

[That] requires retailers to put more effort on price to stimulate consumer spending".

Independent

When you're dating, you put more effort into yourself and the other person.

The New York Times - Magazine

But maybe we should put more effort into making stuff irritating to steal?

The New Yorker

"As you go up and put more effort in, you're going further back and further forward.

The Guardian - Arts

Traditionally few teams in the National Football League have put more effort into the April ritual.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When encouraging someone to improve, specify the area where they need to "put more effort" to provide clear direction and avoid vagueness.

Common error

Avoid simply telling someone to "put more effort" without indicating what specific actions they should change or improve. Be specific and provide actionable feedback instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put more effort" functions as an imperative verb phrase, typically used to encourage or advise someone to increase their dedication or exertion towards a specific task or goal. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "put more effort" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to encourage increased dedication or exertion. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide applicability. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, indicating its neutrality and professional use. To use it effectively, provide specific context and actionable feedback, avoiding vague pronouncements. Consider alternatives like ""make a greater effort"" for more formal settings or "try harder" for a more direct approach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a greater effort

A more formal and emphatic version of the original phrase.

try harder

Emphasizes increased exertion in general.

work harder

Similar to 'try harder' but implies sustained effort.

exert more energy

Focuses on the physical or mental energy expended.

dedicate more attention

Highlights the focus and mindfulness applied to a task.

invest more time

Stresses the commitment of time to achieve a goal.

apply oneself more diligently

Suggests a more thorough and conscientious approach.

push yourself harder

Suggests exceeding your comfort zone.

give it your all

Indicates a complete and maximal effort.

increase your commitment

Focuses on deepening dedication and resolve.

FAQs

How can I use "put more effort" in a sentence?

You can use "put more effort" to encourage someone to increase their dedication or work harder on a specific task. For instance, "If you want to improve your grades, you need to "put more effort" into studying."

What's a more formal way to say "put more effort"?

A more formal alternative to "put more effort" would be to "make a greater effort". This phrase is suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Which is correct, "put more effort in" or "put more effort into"?

"Put more effort into" is the grammatically correct and more commonly used phrase. "Put more effort in" is less frequent, but still understandable depending on context.

What can I say instead of "put more effort" to motivate someone?

To motivate someone, you can use phrases like "try harder", "dedicate more attention", or "give it your all", depending on the situation.