use efforts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "use efforts" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when discussing the act of applying effort towards a task or goal, but it is more natural to phrase it differently. Example: "We need to use efforts to improve our team's performance."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

And there is the catchall of requiring that the parties use "efforts" to obtain this approval.

The New York Times

In other words, there are conditions to closing and each party must use "efforts" to fulfill them.

The New York Times

Aside from local land use efforts, regional factors also influence vehicle travel and associated emissions.

Journal of Transport Geography

The rediscovery of L. callosum in Taiwan provides valuable materials for conservation, research and horticultural use efforts.

Botanical Studies

For effective PAVD use, efforts to identify, treat, and manage asymptomatic long-term iVDPV excretors appear as important as efforts to develop effective PAVDs.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Oregon's hospitals come in all shapes and sizes, each with unique approval processes for engaging in data sharing, prioritization of voluntary public health projects, coordination of Meaningful Use efforts and IT support.

Emerging Health Threats Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Neither did they find that gender was significant in determining greater expectation of use, effort expectation, social influence or intention to use.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

He said he could envision a public-private partnership that might be put into place using efforts like Project Cuddle.

The New York Times

In response, festivals have taken steps to clean up their act: cups are re-used, efforts are made to promote car-sharing; donations to environmental charities are encouraged.

The Guardian

Even if fossil fuel based energy source are to be used, efforts must be made to use as little energy as possible.

Environmental Systems Research

Given the differences in the libraries used, efforts were made to reproduce the biology of the original screen as closely as possible.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity and impact, consider stronger verbs like "exert", "dedicate", or "invest" instead of "use" to describe how effort is applied.

Common error

Avoid treating "efforts" as something that can be simply "used" up. Instead, emphasize the active and intentional application of effort towards a specific goal. A more impactful way is to actively "apply" effort, rather than passively "using" it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "use efforts" functions as a verb + noun phrase, where "use" acts as a transitive verb and "efforts" is the direct object. Ludwig indicates this phrase is not the most common or natural choice. This is likely because "efforts" is usually the subject of verbs like "make", "exert", or "apply".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "use efforts" is technically grammatically acceptable, it's not the most common or natural way to express the idea of applying energy or resources. Ludwig highlights that alternative phrases like "make an effort", "exert effort", or "apply energy" are generally preferred for their clarity and impact. The phrase appears in a variety of contexts, including news, science, and general reference, but is not particularly frequent in any single domain. Therefore, while understandable, it's often advisable to opt for more idiomatic alternatives to enhance the quality of your writing. Ludwig's analysis suggests that choosing alternative phrasings can lead to clearer and more impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exert effort

Replaces "use" with "exert", focusing on the application of energy. Has slightly more formal tone.

make an effort

Replaces "use" with "make", a more common and natural way to express striving for something.

apply energy

Replaces "efforts" with "energy", focusing on the physical or metaphorical force applied.

dedicate resources

Focuses on allocation of resources, which can include effort.

invest time and energy

Highlights the commitment of time and energy.

expend energy

Similar to exert, but might imply a greater degree of energy output.

put in work

More informal, emphasizing labor and diligence.

try hard

A simple and direct way to convey putting forth significant effort.

strive to achieve

Highlights the attempt to reach a specific outcome.

endeavor to

Implies a determined or serious attempt.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "use efforts" for better clarity?

Consider alternatives such as "exert effort", "make an effort", or "apply energy" depending on the context.

Is "use efforts" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "use efforts" is less common and can sound awkward. It's generally better to opt for more idiomatic expressions like "dedicate resources" or "put in work".

What's the difference between "use efforts" and "make an effort"?

"Make an effort" is a more widely recognized and natural way to express the idea of trying to do something, whereas "use efforts" can sound somewhat stilted. The "make an effort" phrasing is generally preferred.

When is it appropriate to say "use efforts"?

It's best to avoid "use efforts" in most situations. If you mean to allocate resources, consider "dedicate resources". If you mean to try hard, say "try hard". If you want to emphasize the energy put in, say "apply energy".