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.
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.
- 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
文法句型
efforts + to-infinitive
efforts + of + noun phrase
用法筆記
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'.
常見錯誤
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.
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.
- masterpiece
implies a result of very high quality, the opposite of an uncertain or low-quality outcome
文法句型
possessive + efforts (at/in + noun/gerund)
用法筆記
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').