reasonable effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonable effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a level of effort that is considered fair and appropriate in a given context, often in legal or contractual situations. Example: "The company will make a reasonable effort to meet the project deadline, but unforeseen circumstances may arise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Rooney curls a reasonable effort wide.

The Guardian - Sport

Defining a "reasonable" effort is up to the bureau.

The New York Times

What "reasonable effort" did the company make to resolve his refund request?

The New York Times

Richard Blanco's inaugural poem for President Obama this January was quite a reasonable effort.

Independent

Shaw does not make a reasonable effort to avoid such contact".

The New York Times

Big software companies make a reasonable effort to remain backward-compatible.

The New York Times

He would presumably have endorsed, and collaborated in, any reasonable effort to augment his income.

The New York Times - Books

Make every reasonable effort to return checked bags within 24 hours.

The New York Times - Travel

Every reasonable effort must be made to avoid a new Kashmir war.

The New York Times

The new law written by Congress goes far beyond any reasonable effort to protect legitimate secrets.

The New York Times

"I thought it was a reasonable effort," Ponting said in the post-match presentation.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reasonable effort" in contracts, define what constitutes a "reasonable effort" within the specific context to avoid ambiguity and potential disputes.

Common error

Avoid using "reasonable effort" without providing specific benchmarks or criteria. Vague language can lead to disagreements about whether the required level of effort was actually exerted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonable effort" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "reasonable" modifies the noun "effort". It describes the quality or extent of an attempt or endeavor. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in diverse contexts, confirming its function as a descriptor of actions taken.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reasonable effort" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that functions as a noun phrase. It's used across a variety of contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business, according to Ludwig. The phrase aims to communicate that an adequate or justifiable level of action has been taken. While Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, it's important to define "reasonable effort" with specific benchmarks to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "due diligence" and "good faith effort", but these may have slightly different implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appropriate effort

Replaces "reasonable" with "appropriate", suggesting a focus on suitability rather than just adequacy of the effort.

good faith effort

Emphasizes the sincerity and honesty of the attempt, highlighting the intention behind the effort.

due diligence

Implies a thorough and careful approach, often in a legal or business context, focusing on the comprehensiveness of the effort.

justifiable attempt

Focuses on the legitimacy and defensibility of the attempt, suggesting it is supported by sound reasoning.

diligent attempt

Replaces "effort" with "attempt" and adds "diligent", which stresses persistence and attentiveness in the action.

sensible endeavor

Replaces "effort" with "endeavor", indicating a serious and determined attempt, and "reasonable" with "sensible", emphasizing practicality.

fair attempt

Stresses the impartiality and justice of the try, suggesting it is equitable and unbiased.

considerable exertion

Highlights the amount of energy expended, implying a significant investment of resources.

prudent action

Shifts from effort to action, emphasizing careful and wise decision-making in the approach.

judicious measure

Highlights the thoughtful and strategic nature of the action taken, focusing on its effectiveness and appropriateness.

FAQs

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

You can use "reasonable effort" to describe actions taken that are considered fair and appropriate, such as, "The company made a "reasonable effort" to resolve the customer's complaint."

What is a good alternative to "reasonable effort"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "due diligence", "good faith effort", or "diligent attempt".

What does "reasonable effort" mean in a legal context?

In legal terms, "reasonable effort" typically refers to the degree of effort that an ordinary person would exercise under similar circumstances. It is often used as a standard to measure compliance with contractual obligations.

What's the difference between "reasonable effort" and "best efforts"?

"Best efforts" generally requires a higher standard of performance than ""reasonable effort"". "Best efforts" implies that a party must exhaust all reasonable avenues to achieve a goal, while "reasonable effort" suggests a more balanced approach.