efforts
efforts — noun
- effortssingular
- effortsesplural
1. the energy, time, and hard work that people use when they try very hard to do so
the energy, time, and hard work that people use when they try very hard to do something difficult or reach a goal
Despite their best efforts, the rescue team could not reach the hikers before dark.
best efforts — common intensifier collocation
The school play succeeded thanks to the combined efforts of students and teachers alike.
combined efforts — group collaboration pattern
Ayesha's efforts to start her own bakery finally succeeded after three years of saving money.
efforts + to-infinitive
The city's efforts to reduce air pollution included planting thousands of new trees.
Zuri worked hard, but her efforts alone were not enough to finish the project on time.
singular effort vs plural efforts contrast
- best efforts
- combined efforts
- concerted efforts
- repeated efforts
- efforts to + verb
- efforts of + noun
- work
broader and less goal-focused; 'work' is the activity itself, while 'efforts' emphasises trying hard toward a result
- energy
focuses on the inner power used rather than the activity; 'energy' is uncountable and less specific about purpose
- endeavours
more formal and literary; suggests serious, sustained attempts, often with noble goals
- attempts
emphasises the trying itself rather than the energy put in; 'attempts' can fail without implying hard work
Grammar Patterns
efforts + to-infinitive
efforts + of + noun phrase
Usage Note
Use the plural form 'efforts' when referring to specific instances or attempts, and the uncountable singular 'effort' for energy or work in general. 'Efforts' is commonly modified by adjectives such as 'best', 'combined', 'repeated', or 'concerted'.
Common Mistakes
2. something produced by trying hard, especially when the result does not seem very
something produced by trying hard, especially when the result does not seem very successful, well-made, or complete
The painting looked rough, but Nora's mother praised her artistic efforts anyway.
possessive + efforts — showing ownership of a result
Valentina showed me her early writing efforts, which were full of spelling mistakes.
Bao's first efforts at cooking were not very tasty, but he kept practicing every weekend.
efforts at + gerund
The committee reviewed the fundraising efforts and decided a new strategy was needed for next year.
Joon considered his early poetry efforts embarrassing and burned all his old notebooks.
efforts at + noun phrase
- early efforts
- first efforts
- artistic efforts
- literary efforts
- efforts at + noun/gerund
- masterpiece
implies a result of very high quality, the opposite of an uncertain or low-quality outcome
Grammar Patterns
possessive + efforts (at/in + noun/gerund)
Usage Note
This sense often carries a modest or critical tone — the speaker judges the result to be imperfect or incomplete. Common with possessives ('his efforts', 'our efforts') and after verbs of evaluating ('reviewed', 'criticised', 'admired').
Common Mistakes
be an effort
idiomused to say that a particular activity is very hard, tiring, or boring, so that it requires a lot of energy just to complete it
After her illness, walking up the stairs was an effort for Ingrid, so she rested often.
It is an effort for Stefan to stay awake during long meetings after lunch, especially in a warm room.
For Marco, reading a whole chapter in English was still an effort, but he felt proud when he finished.
Etymology
First known use
15th century
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1