well-intentioned effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "well-intentioned effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an attempt or action that is made with good intentions, even if the outcome may not be successful. Example: "Although the project did not achieve its goals, it was a well-intentioned effort to improve community engagement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Some suggest this was a well-intentioned effort to stem panic.

The New York Times

According to the federation's statement, "Nissan's well-intentioned effort illustrates why legislation is needed in order to ensure that there are uniform standards for vehicle sound.

The New York Times

"While this bill represents a well-intentioned effort to accomplish this laudable objective, I am constrained to disapprove the bill based on the serious technical flaws and ambiguities".

The New York Times

"This is a classic example of a well-intentioned effort that's going to have almost no effect and, in fact, is going to do harm," Mr. Shern said.

The New York Times

Naoki Takizawa's show for Issey Miyake, a collaboration with the whimsical illustrator Aya Takano, was a well-intentioned effort that also resulted in little that made much sense.

The New York Times

The publication of multiple ten-best lists is probably a well-intentioned effort to embrace the principle of pluralism, and to make a democratic acknowledgment that taste is, after all, a personal and subjective matter.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

There are lots of well-intentioned efforts to improve health care out there.

The New York Times

Well-intentioned efforts to encourage work among poorer folk have also concentrated the pool of taxpayers.

The Economist

Unfortunately, these tendencies frequently undermine well-intentioned efforts to counter myths and misperceptions.

The New York Times

There is no infrastructure for help, and limited resources and limited understanding hinder well-intentioned efforts.

The New York Times

But their well-intentioned efforts are often a waste of time.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure clarity by specifying who had the good intentions. For example, "The government's well-intentioned effort" is more specific than just "a well-intentioned effort."

Common error

Avoid using "well-intentioned effort" as a shield to deflect criticism of actions that have significant negative consequences. Acknowledge the harm caused, even if the intent was good.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well-intentioned effort" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the quality of the "effort", highlighting that it was undertaken with good intentions, regardless of the outcome. Ludwig confirms its validity, with examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "well-intentioned effort" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an attempt made with good intentions, regardless of its success. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's often used in news and media, as well as more formal contexts. While acknowledging positive intent is valuable, it's important to avoid using the phrase to excuse or downplay negative consequences. Alternatives like "good-faith attempt" or "noble endeavor" can provide similar meanings with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

well-meant endeavor

Uses 'meant' instead of 'intentioned', a subtle synonymic variation.

good-faith attempt

Emphasizes sincerity and honesty in the attempt.

noble endeavor

Highlights the admirable and virtuous nature of the effort.

earnest attempt

Focuses on the seriousness and sincerity of the effort.

sincere endeavor

Stresses the genuineness of the undertaking.

altruistic act

Highlights the selfless and benevolent nature of the action.

benevolent undertaking

Emphasizes the kindness and goodwill behind the effort.

thoughtful initiative

Highlights the considerate and careful nature of the effort.

compassionate gesture

Emphasizes the empathy and caring involved in the action.

principled action

Focuses on the moral and ethical basis of the effort.

FAQs

How can I use "well-intentioned effort" in a sentence?

You can use "well-intentioned effort" to describe an attempt that was made with good intentions, even if it didn't succeed. For example, "Although the new policy failed, it was a "well-intentioned effort" to improve employee morale."

What's a good alternative to "well-intentioned effort"?

Alternatives include "good-faith attempt", "noble endeavor", or "earnest attempt", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to describe something as a "well-intentioned effort"?

While it acknowledges good intentions, using "well-intentioned effort" might not be suitable if the negative outcomes are severe or if there was a lack of due diligence. In such cases, it may appear dismissive of the harm caused.

What is the difference between "well-intentioned effort" and "successful initiative"?

"Well-intentioned effort" focuses on the positive intentions behind an action, regardless of the result. "Successful initiative", on the other hand, emphasizes the positive outcome of an action, regardless of the initial intentions.