serious effort

USAGE SUMMARY

'serious effort' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express an earnest or determined attempt at accomplishing something. For example: "The student made a serious effort to learn the material before the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Make a serious effort?

The New York Times

Mr. Samaras is "making a serious effort," she said.

The New York Times

But he has made no serious effort to resolve it.

The Economist

But we also need a serious effort at argument-checking.

The New York Times

A serious effort there would pay dividends for social mobility.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the past doesn't stay preserved without serious effort.

The New Yorker

There was a serious effort to get rid of it.

The Guardian - Film

"I don't think it represents a serious effort," he said.

The New York Times

But Mandy put serious effort into her lies.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Third, his budgets make little serious effort to restrain spending.

The New York Times

I'm talking about a sustained and serious effort.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "serious effort" to convey a sense of commitment and dedication towards achieving a specific goal or objective.

Common error

While "serious effort" is widely applicable, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "real try" or "good shot" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious effort" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "serious" modifies "effort". It denotes a committed attempt or undertaking, as exemplified by Ludwig's numerous examples across various contexts. The Ludwig AI confirms the correct and usable status of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "serious effort" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI. It conveys a dedicated and committed attempt, suitable for a variety of contexts ranging from news and media to science and business. While highly versatile, it is advised to consider more casual alternatives for very informal settings. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its frequent occurrence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist, solidifying its place as a valuable phrase in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earnest attempt

Focuses on the sincerity and genuineness of the attempt.

determined endeavor

Emphasizes the resolve and persistence involved.

significant undertaking

Highlights the importance and scale of the task.

vigorous attempt

Stresses the energy and intensity of the effort.

considerable exertion

Emphasizes the amount of energy expended.

substantial endeavor

Highlights the magnitude and scope of the effort.

strenuous attempt

Emphasizes the difficulty and demanding nature of the attempt.

intensive endeavor

Highlights the focused and concentrated nature of the effort.

diligent attempt

Stresses the careful and persistent nature of the attempt.

purposeful endeavor

Focuses on the intentional and goal-oriented nature of the effort.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "serious effort" in a sentence?

Use "serious effort" to emphasize the dedication and determination put into a task. For example, "The team made a "serious effort" to complete the project on time".

What are some alternatives to using "serious effort"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "earnest attempt", "determined endeavor", or "significant undertaking".

Is there a difference between "serious effort" and "major effort"?

While both phrases imply a significant attempt, ""serious effort"" emphasizes dedication and intent, while "major effort" highlights the scale and resources involved.

When is it appropriate to use "serious effort" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "serious effort" in both formal and informal writing when you want to convey that someone is putting in a significant amount of dedication, resources or energy into a task.