surprising efforts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surprising efforts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe efforts that are unexpected or astonishing in nature, often highlighting the impact or outcome of those efforts. Example: "The team's surprising efforts in the final quarter led to an unexpected turnaround in the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The WAC is actually much improved this season thanks to surprising efforts by Fresno State (4-2), Hawaii (5-2) aNevadaada (6-1), buthehe biggest assets for Boise State (6-0) would be an undefeated record and disarray elsewhere.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

56 min: It was (c), a quite pathetic but not entirely surprising effort shot straight at Tom Howard.

The Guardian - Sport

That said, you might not have guessed that the expansive, effusive and oft-traversed Schubert work would prove to be the evening's more surprising effort.

The New York Times - Arts

The Crusades makes a surprising effort towards historical balance: if anything, it feels as if DeMille wanted to make Saladin the hero.

The Guardian - Film

The book, "Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of 'Psycho,' " is a fast, diverting read that, true to its title, tracks how the master of suspense, sometimes with surprising effort, made his influential, perverse shocker.

The New York Times

After Mr Miliband's surprising effort on the first televised election debate this year, and with less than six weeks to go until 7 May, Mr Cameron could be becoming a little desperate.

Independent

It could seem that the electorate's previous preference for the Tory leader is waning while Ed Miliband's reputation has shot up after a surprising effort in the face of harsher questioning during The Battle for Number 10.

Independent

With the hotheads Richie Incognito (two roughness penalties last week) and DeAngelo Hall (13 penalties in two years) on the same field, personal fouls may outnumber touchdowns in this game. 1 p.m. Line: Redskins by 10 Buccaneers at Bills Leodis McKelvin's fumble (and the vandalism of his lawn by angry teenagers) overshadowed a surprising effort by Buffalo.

The New York Times

Chris of Square Enix Music Online had similar feelings for the album, terming it a "high-quality and surprising effort" and "an incredible improvement" over the original soundtrack.

Wikipedia

Feverishly anticipated since Ocean's Grammy-winning "Channel Orange" made him a star in 2012, this surprising effort answers breathless hype not with shouts but with one long exhalation.

Los Angeles Times

While it may sound surprising that efforts to stop drinking could be harmful, addiction experts say such a situation is "highly possible".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "surprising efforts" to highlight instances where the level of effort or the outcome of the effort was unexpected, either positively or negatively. For example, "Despite facing numerous obstacles, the team delivered surprising efforts, completing the project ahead of schedule."

Common error

Avoid using "surprising efforts" in situations where the effort expended is generally expected or predictable. For example, saying "The firefighters made surprising efforts to extinguish the blaze" is redundant, as significant effort is inherently expected in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surprising efforts" typically functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'surprising' modifies the noun 'efforts'. It serves to describe actions or endeavors that are unexpected or remarkable in some way. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

45%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "surprising efforts" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes unexpected or remarkable actions. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It's most commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, indicating its versatility across different writing styles. To enhance your writing, use it to emphasize unexpected outcomes or levels of dedication. Alternatives include "unexpected endeavors" or "astonishing attempts". Be mindful to avoid using it in situations where the effort is already expected, as this can lead to redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpected endeavors

Replaces 'surprising' with 'unexpected', focusing on the lack of anticipation.

astonishing attempts

Substitutes 'surprising' with 'astonishing' and 'efforts' with 'attempts', highlighting the remarkable nature of the actions.

remarkable actions

Replaces 'surprising efforts' with 'remarkable actions', emphasizing the noteworthiness of the activities.

unforeseen exertions

Uses 'unforeseen' instead of 'surprising' and 'exertions' in place of 'efforts', indicating unanticipated hard work.

startling initiatives

Replaces 'surprising' with 'startling' and 'efforts' with 'initiatives', focusing on the unexpected nature of the new projects.

unanticipated undertakings

Substitutes 'surprising' with 'unanticipated' and 'efforts' with 'undertakings', emphasizing the lack of prior expectation.

unexpected measures

Replaces 'surprising' with 'unexpected' and 'efforts' with 'measures', focusing on the unforeseen actions taken.

impressive endeavors

Changes 'surprising' to 'impressive', highlighting the admirable quality of the efforts.

noteworthy feats

Replaces both words to highlight achievements deserving attention.

amazing feats

Replace both words to highlight exceptional achievements.

FAQs

How can I incorporate "surprising efforts" into a sentence?

Use "surprising efforts" to emphasize instances where the level or kind of effort was unexpected. For example, "The success of the campaign was due to the "surprising efforts" of the volunteers".

What are some alternatives to using "surprising efforts"?

You can use alternatives like "unexpected endeavors", "astonishing attempts", or "remarkable actions" depending on the context.

Is "surprising efforts" formal or informal?

"Surprising efforts" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more common in news and media or general discussions. Its formality depends on the surrounding language and the specific situation.

What makes an effort "surprising"?

An effort is "surprising" when it exceeds expectations, occurs in an unexpected context, or produces results that were not anticipated. The term highlights an element of unexpectedness or astonishment.