with great effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with great effort" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the level of difficulty of a task or activity. For example, "I was able to finish my homework with great effort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

With great effort, he smiled.

The New Yorker

I thought we played with great effort.

The New York Times - Sports

Tells how, with great effort, he achieved this.

The New Yorker

With great effort he forced his eyes open and glimpsed the wood paneling in the vestibule.

The New York Times

Finally the baby began to cry and then, with great effort, to breathe.

The New York Times - Health

Doherty drops his head, closes his eyes and breathes deeply, excavating the words with great effort.

The Guardian - Music

Some fed-up and very brave weekend-home owners have, with great effort, banished guests altogether.

The New York Times - Travel

With great effort, chimpanzees have been taught to "speak" (through physical gestures) and to use correctly a very few words.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Perhaps Sacks will take comfort from his novel-writing patient, who with great effort taught himself to read again.

The New York Times - Books

Cash was only reinstated with great effort, after the Cameroons realised what a biting PR disaster it was.

Independent

With great effort, the authorities lured some manufacturing, including textile factories, microchip plants, and presses that print banknotes.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with great effort" to emphasize the difficulty and energy required to achieve a specific outcome. It adds weight and significance to the accomplishment.

Common error

Avoid using "with great effort" for tasks that are inherently easy or require minimal exertion. This can make your writing sound exaggerated or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with great effort" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how an action is performed. As Ludwig AI suggests, this is often used to highlight the difficulty or intensity involved in the action. Examples from Ludwig show its use in diverse contexts, such as "With great effort, he smiled" or "With great effort, they tied it to a wooden bench."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with great effort" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the difficulty and energy expended in performing an action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is commonly found in news articles, encyclopedias, and scientific publications, indicating a neutral register. While generally interchangeable with alternatives like "with considerable exertion" or "with significant difficulty", it's important to avoid overuse in trivial contexts to maintain its impact. Using "with great effort" effectively can highlight accomplishments and underscore the significance of overcoming challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with tremendous effort

Synonymous, emphasizing the high degree of effort.

with considerable exertion

Emphasizes the physical or mental energy expended.

with much struggle

Focuses on the arduous nature of the process.

with significant difficulty

Highlights the presence of obstacles or challenges.

with immense difficulty

A difficult path to success.

through sheer determination

Highlights the role of willpower and resolve.

against all odds

Suggests overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

against considerable resistance

Suggests the presence of opposing forces or obstacles.

with painstaking care

Emphasizes meticulousness and attention to detail.

with hard work

A more general term emphasizing diligence.

FAQs

How can I use "with great effort" in a sentence?

You can use "with great effort" to describe how someone managed to do something despite facing difficulties, such as, "With great effort, he lifted the heavy box."

What are some alternatives to saying "with great effort"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "with considerable exertion", "with significant difficulty", or "through sheer determination" as alternatives.

Is it better to say "with great effort" or "with a lot of effort"?

"With great effort" and "with a lot of effort" are largely interchangeable, but "with great effort" often suggests a more significant or challenging undertaking.

What's the difference between "with great effort" and "with great difficulty"?

"With great effort" emphasizes the energy expended, while "with great difficulty" highlights the presence of obstacles or challenges. They can often be used similarly but have slightly different nuances.