undertake an effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undertake an effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of committing to a task or trying to achieve something. Example: "To improve our community, we must undertake an effort to clean up the local park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The nation must find a way to become energy-independent, he said, promising as president to undertake an effort comparable to the one that put man on the moon.

The New York Times

"It is very difficult to imagine a scenario in which our involvement in Syria would have led to a better outcome, short of us being willing to undertake an effort in size and scope similar to what we did in Iraq," he said.

The New Yorker

It is very difficult to imagine a scenario in which our involvement in Syria would have led to a better outcome, short of us being willing to undertake an effort in size and scope similar to what we did in Iraq.

The New Yorker

In an interview in the current edition of the New Yorker, Obama said of the prospect of action then, "it is very difficult to imagine a scenario in which our involvement in Syria would have led to a better outcome, short of us being willing to undertake an effort in size and scope similar to what we did in Iraq".

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Simmons called Universal's effort "a day too late," adding, "If they were going to try to do that, why not do it with the powers that be in the mixtape game?" Universal earlier this year did undertake an effort to create a licensing regime that would allow a select group of D.J.'s to incorporate songs from its catalog into their mixtapes, people involved in the project said.

The New York Times - Arts

The prevalence of these disorders and the multifactorial pathogenesis and therapeutic difficulties of TMD prompted the authors to undertake an effort to describe therapeutic concepts associated with TMD pain.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

This week, however, US Admiral William McRaven undertook an effort to roll back the earnest accomplishments of Senator Leahy and others.

The Guardian - Opinion

For example, Tanzania has undertaken an effort to do away with its export ban on agricultural production.

The Washington Post

Hence we undertook an effort to design both inhibitors and activators using structure-based drug design techniques and report here the biological proof of concept.

Journal of Molecular Graphics and Modelling

Mr. Giuliani was twice elected mayor of heavily Democratic New York City, and Mr. D'Amato undertook an effort to rehabilitate the state party that culminated in 1994 with the election of George E. Pataki, a state senator from Peekskill, as governor.

The New York Times

B.G.I. has undertaken an effort to engineer nutrients into the vegetable; that would make it an edible, healthy source of protein that can be eaten throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "undertake an effort", ensure the context clearly defines the purpose and scope of the effort being described.

Common error

Avoid using "undertake an effort" for minor or trivial tasks; reserve it for substantial or strategic initiatives. For less significant tasks, consider phrases like "try" or "attempt" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undertake an effort" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun phrase, indicating the commencement of a task or project. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe initiating something that requires dedication and planning.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "undertake an effort" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the initiation of a significant task or project. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While not exceedingly common, it finds application across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science and Academia. For alternative phrasing to "undertake an effort", consider alternatives such as "make a concerted effort" or "launch an initiative" depending on the intended nuance. When deploying this phrase, make certain that its degree of formality is consistent with the tone of your work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a concerted effort

Changes "undertake" to "make" and adds "concerted" to emphasize the planned nature of the effort.

initiate a project

Replaces "undertake an effort" with a phrase indicating the start of a well-defined project.

launch an initiative

Changes "undertake an effort" to a more formal expression emphasizing the start of a significant activity.

embark on a mission

Uses "embark on" instead of "undertake" to convey a sense of purpose and direction.

begin a campaign

Replaces "effort" with "campaign" to suggest a coordinated series of actions.

pursue an endeavor

Substitutes "undertake" with "pursue" and "effort" with "endeavor", indicating continued commitment.

engage in activity

Replaces "undertake an effort" with a more general phrase suitable for a broader range of actions.

commit to action

Focuses on the commitment aspect of undertaking an effort, emphasizing active involvement.

take steps toward

Indicates taking initial actions in a process, which is less committal than undertaking a full effort.

strive to achieve

Highlights the striving aspect, implying a determined effort towards a goal.

FAQs

What does "undertake an effort" mean?

To "undertake an effort" means to commit to and begin working on a specific task or project, often one that requires significant planning and dedication. It suggests a serious commitment to achieving a particular goal.

How can I use "undertake an effort" in a sentence?

You can use "undertake an effort" when describing the beginning of a task that requires planning and hard work. For example, "The company will "launch an initiative" to reduce its carbon footprint."

What are some alternatives to "undertake an effort"?

Some alternatives include "make a concerted effort", "initiate a project", "launch an initiative", or "embark on a mission". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "undertake an effort" versus "try" or "attempt"?

"Undertake an effort" is suitable for significant, planned actions, while "try" or "attempt" are more appropriate for simpler, less formal situations. Undertaking an effort implies a higher level of commitment and preparation than simply trying something.