sincere efforts

USAGE SUMMARY

'sincere efforts' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe earnest attempts to do something, and is commonly used in business contexts. For example: "My team has made sincere efforts to help the client reach their financial goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Will require sincere efforts.

The Guardian

And Sargent's sincere efforts lack enduring vigor.

The New York Times

But his voice stays reticent; for all his sincere efforts, he's pallid.

The New York Times - Arts

"But India is obviously frustrated that Pakistan is not making sincere efforts".

The New York Times

By criminalising gay sex and prostitution, these laws have blocked many sincere efforts to quell the virus.

The Economist

Terrorism, he said, was a shared threat that required "serious and sincere efforts without indulging into any blame game".

The New York Times

The government itself has made sincere efforts, though most analysts say political leaders are easily distracted by self-interest.

The New York Times

Kidman is quiet and touching, but, despite her sincere efforts, she will not drag the iron carcass of "Dogville" into success.

The New Yorker

It is not something that can be banished with a magic wand; even the best and most sincere efforts can at times have patchy results.

The Economist

Similarly, Serbia's accession discussions with the E.U. were supposed to await sincere efforts to arrest the former Bosnian Serb military leader, Ratko Mladic.

The New York Times

It will continue to emerge; Secretary of State Hillary Clinton should therefore be less trigger-happy in killing with faint praise the "sincere efforts" of Brasilia and Ankara.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "sincere efforts" with verbs that convey action and progress, such as "demonstrate", "undertake", or "invest", to further emphasize the active nature of the attempts being made.

Common error

Avoid using "sincere efforts" without providing specific examples or evidence to support the claim. Overusing the phrase without concrete backing can undermine its credibility and make the statement seem insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sincere efforts" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "sincere" modifies the noun "efforts". It describes attempts or endeavors that are characterized by honesty and genuineness. Ludwig's examples show it is used to describe actions intended to produce a positive outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sincere efforts" is a frequently used and grammatically sound phrase to describe genuine attempts. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. As a noun phrase, it commonly appears in news and media as well as science, denoting honesty and commitment. To ensure clarity, provide concrete examples of these efforts. Alternatives include "earnest attempts" or "genuine endeavors". Be wary of overstating sincerity without sufficient evidence. The phrase maintains a neutral to professional register, lending credibility to statements of intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earnest attempts

Replaces "sincere" with "earnest", emphasizing the seriousness and intensity of the efforts.

genuine endeavors

Substitutes "sincere" with "genuine" and "efforts" with "endeavors", highlighting the authenticity and purposefulness of the actions.

dedicated attempts

Focuses on the commitment and devotion involved in the efforts.

bona fide attempts

Uses a more formal term, "bona fide", to stress the good faith and authenticity of the efforts.

good faith efforts

Highlights the honesty and integrity behind the attempts.

conscientious attempts

Emphasizes the thoroughness and carefulness of the attempts.

diligent efforts

Focuses on the persistence and hard work put into the efforts.

zealous attempts

Conveys a strong passion and enthusiasm driving the efforts.

determined efforts

Highlights the resolve and firmness in pursuing a goal.

heartfelt attempts

Emphasizes the emotional investment and genuine care behind the efforts.

FAQs

How can I use "sincere efforts" in a sentence?

"Sincere efforts" typically describe actions taken with genuine intent. For example, "The company made "sincere efforts" to improve its environmental impact."

What can I say instead of "sincere efforts"?

You can use alternatives like "earnest attempts", "genuine endeavors", or "good faith efforts" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "sincere efforts" or "sincerest efforts"?

"Sincere efforts" is generally preferred. "Sincerest efforts" is grammatically correct but less common. "Sincere" already implies a high degree of genuineness, making the superlative form "sincerest" often unnecessary.

What's the difference between "sincere efforts" and "determined efforts"?

"Sincere efforts" emphasizes the genuine and honest intent behind actions, while "determined efforts" highlights the resolve and persistence in pursuing a goal. While they can overlap, sincerity focuses on the motivation, and determination focuses on the tenacity.