went to great lengths

USAGE SUMMARY

"went to great lengths" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an action that someone took that was unusual, extreme, or involved a lot of effort. For example: "The film's director went to great lengths to make sure the movie was historically accurate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Manning went to great lengths to establish Randle early.

The New York Times - Sports

George Bush went to great lengths to keep out of his way on the campaign trail.

The Economist

The government went to great lengths to replicate European technology, importing German engineers, machines and designs.

The Economist

The problem was that the Democrats went to great lengths to be present.

The Economist

Franck Riboud, Danone's chief executive, went to great lengths to prepare the ground.

The Economist

Infuriated, Blanche went to great lengths to dispel them.

The New York Times - Arts

In any case, the reporter, Corey Kilgannon, went to great lengths to be careful here.

The New York Times

I went to great lengths to make sure she was eating things that were fun.

The New York Times

City officials went to great lengths to explain why the Related team was chosen.

The New York Times

Harvey went to great lengths to make sure he learned how to throw it correctly.

The New York Times - Sports

The Yankees went to great lengths to shield the fading Steinbrenner from public view.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "went to great lengths" to emphasize the exceptional effort or measures taken to achieve a particular result. It adds weight to your statement and highlights the dedication involved.

Common error

While effective, avoid overusing "went to great lengths". It can lose its impact if used too frequently in a single piece of writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "tried hard" or "made an effort" for less significant actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "went to great lengths" functions as a verbal phrase within a sentence, typically acting as the main verb or part of the verb phrase. It indicates the action of someone making a significant effort or taking extraordinary measures to achieve something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "went to great lengths" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that effectively conveys the idea of expending significant effort or taking extraordinary measures. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across diverse contexts, especially in news and media. While versatile, it's advisable to use it judiciously to avoid diminishing its impact. Consider alternative expressions such as "tried very hard", "made a considerable effort", or "did everything possible" to introduce variety and nuanced meaning to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did everything possible

Focuses on the comprehensiveness of the actions taken, suggesting that all options were exhausted.

went above and beyond

Suggests exceeding expectations and doing more than what was required.

pulled out all the stops

An idiom that indicates that every possible resource or action was used.

spared no effort

Emphasizes that no effort was avoided or withheld in pursuing a goal.

left no stone unturned

An idiomatic expression indicating a thorough and exhaustive search or effort.

took extreme measures

This suggests more drastic or unconventional actions were taken.

made a considerable effort

Replaces "great lengths" with "considerable effort", focusing on the effort expended but slightly diminishing the intensity.

exerted much effort

Similar to "made a considerable effort" but emphasizes the physical or mental exertion involved.

tried very hard

This alternative offers a simpler, more direct way to express effort, omitting the sense of extraordinary measures.

strove mightily

This is a more literary or archaic way to express considerable effort.

FAQs

How can I use "went to great lengths" in a sentence?

You can use "went to great lengths" to emphasize the significant effort someone put into something. For example, "The researchers "went to great lengths" to ensure the accuracy of their findings".

What are some alternatives to "went to great lengths"?

Some alternatives include "tried very hard", "made a considerable effort", or "did everything possible". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it better to say "went to great lengths" or "tried hard"?

"Went to great lengths" implies a more significant and elaborate effort than "tried hard". Use "went to great lengths" when you want to highlight the exceptional nature of the effort made; otherwise, "tried hard" is sufficient.

What does it mean to "go above and beyond" compared to "went to great lengths"?

"Went to great lengths" emphasizes the extensive effort or measures taken. "Go above and beyond" suggests exceeding expectations or doing more than what was required or expected, adding a dimension of exceeding a standard.