slight effort

USAGE SUMMARY

'slight effort' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an effort that is not too strenuous or difficult. For example: With a slight effort, I was able to open the heavy door.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

He continued: "But if in the future some slight effort could be made to determine the actual events of the story, it would be greatly appreciated by my wife and me".

The New York Times

But if in the future some slight effort could be made to determine the actual events of the story, it would be greatly appreciated by my wife and me.

The New York Times - Style

In between, when it makes a slight effort to move your luggage in the direction you wish to go, albeit at a third the pace at which you could carry the donkey and the luggage yourself, you will fawn on it, pat the soft fringe coming down over its nose, and whisper sweet quadruped nothings in its ear.

The Guardian - Travel

The same qualities apply in poetry--the standard workshop poem is a narrative or associative slight effort, taking off from the quotidian, to rest in an uneasy or understated epiphany.

Huffington Post

At that point the car will not do any thing, except make a slight effort to start.

WikiHow

It requires practice to find the position that allows you to relax your whole torso almost completely, only slight effort being used to maintain your balance.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

PL-MSCs have been described more recently, and slight efforts have been focused on proving their abilities [ 13].

BMC Genomics

Fortuyn never made the slightest effort to hide the fact that he was gay.

The New Yorker

We choose to suck up every last drop of oil rather than make even the slightest effort to conserve.

The New York Times

However, they have never made the slightest effort to be friendly — even to reciprocate simple gestures like smiles or waves.

The New York Times - Magazine

Johnson has never made the slightest effort to conceal his debt to Mies or his use of specific details from the Farnsworth house.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slight effort" to convey that a task requires minimal exertion or is easily achievable. This is useful in contexts where you want to downplay the difficulty of something.

Common error

Avoid using "slight effort" when the task actually requires significant work. This can create unrealistic expectations and undermine the accomplishment when it is finally achieved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight effort" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes a minimal level of exertion or attempt required to achieve something. Ludwig confirms its usability and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slight effort" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that signifies a minimal amount of exertion. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and readily usable in writing. While not the most frequent expression, occurring uncommonly in writing, it is valuable for conveying that a task is easily achievable. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, but also used on wikis and scientific writing. When using "slight effort", ensure that the described task truly requires minimal exertion to avoid creating misleading expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimal exertion

Emphasizes the small degree of physical or mental activity involved.

minor attempt

Focuses on the limited scope of the endeavor.

easy undertaking

Highlights the lack of difficulty in the task.

small endeavor

Focuses on the modest nature of the undertaking.

passing attempt

Indicates a brief or cursory try.

negligible effort

Stresses that the effort expended is almost insignificant.

token gesture

Suggests the action is symbolic and requires little real effort.

perfunctory attempt

Implies the attempt is carried out without enthusiasm or care.

casual attempt

Indicates a relaxed and informal effort.

nominal effort

Emphasizes the effort is just a formality, without real impact.

FAQs

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

You can use "slight effort" to describe a task that doesn't require much energy, for instance: "With a "slight effort", she managed to move the table."

What are some alternatives to "slight effort"?

Alternatives include "minimal exertion", "minor attempt", or "easy undertaking", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "slight effort" in formal writing?

Yes, "slight effort" is appropriate for formal writing. While not overly sophisticated, it's a clear and concise way to describe a minimal amount of exertion. More formal synonyms exist if a more elevated tone is desired.

What's the difference between "slight effort" and "great effort"?

"Slight effort" indicates minimal exertion, while "great effort" signifies a significant amount of work and dedication. They are antonyms and should be used in contrasting situations.