token effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"token effort" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone makes a very small effort to solve a problem, even though much more effort is needed. For example: "He offered a token effort to help his struggling team, but it was not enough to make a difference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Encyclopedias

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This is not a token effort," he said.

The New York Times

Let me tell you: it was a token effort.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The rear seats are little more than a token effort, too, even for kids.

Independent

For now he seems to be making at least a token effort to mend ties.

The Economist

In 'Spies Against Armageddon', there is some token effort at euphemism.

The Guardian

23 min: Mikel records Chelsea's first shot on target, a token effort from 35 yards.

The Guardian - Sport

Untrained in emergency procedures, the crew put up only a token effort to fight the fire.

The New York Times

Jack Butland did not even make a token effort to save it.

The Guardian - Sport

"We can see it on the ground here that the Conservatives are just making a token effort.

Independent

But Kuznetsov was not content just to give a token effort against the 10-time Grand Slam champion.

The New York Times

"The key is to make a small token effort to make up for missed sessions," says Helen.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "token effort", ensure that the context clearly indicates the inadequacy or insincerity of the attempt. Avoid using it in situations where a genuine, though perhaps unsuccessful, effort was made.

Common error

Avoid using "token effort" when describing situations where substantial effort was put forth but failed. "Token effort" specifically implies a minimal and often insincere attempt, not a failed large-scale project.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "token effort" functions as a noun phrase, often used adjectivally to describe an action or attempt. It modifies the noun it precedes, indicating the quality or extent of the effort made. As Ludwig AI shows, it signifies a minimal or superficial attempt.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Arts

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "token effort" is a noun phrase used to describe a minimal or superficial attempt, often implying insincerity or inadequacy. It's grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, sports, and business contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is best used when the attempt's lack of substance is clear, and writers should avoid using it when describing substantial but failed endeavors. Alternatives include "perfunctory attempt" or "half-hearted attempt". Remember that the aim is to criticize the quality of effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perfunctory attempt

Emphasizes the lack of genuine interest or enthusiasm in the effort.

half-hearted attempt

Highlights the lack of commitment and energy in the effort.

minimal attempt

Focuses on the extremely small amount of effort exerted.

insufficient attempt

Indicates that the effort was not enough to achieve the desired result.

superficial attempt

Suggests that the effort only addressed the surface level of the issue.

lip service

Implies that the effort was only verbal and lacked real action.

hollow gesture

Highlights the emptiness and lack of sincerity behind the action.

inadequate measure

Focuses on the insufficiency of the action taken to address a problem.

symbolic gesture

Points out that the action was primarily for show, not substance.

nominal gesture

Indicates that the action was merely a formality with little real impact.

FAQs

What does "token effort" mean?

"Token effort" refers to a minimal or superficial attempt to fulfill a duty or requirement, often implying that the effort is insincere or inadequate.

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

You can use "token effort" to describe a situation where someone makes a minimal attempt to do something, like: "The company's "symbolic gesture" to reduce emissions was seen as a "token effort" to appease environmentalists."

What are some alternatives to "token effort"?

Alternatives to "token effort" include "perfunctory attempt", "half-hearted attempt", or "minimal attempt" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "token effort" a formal or informal expression?

"Token effort" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it's often used in critical or analytical writing to describe inadequate attempts to address a problem.