efforts
efforts — 名詞
- effortssingular
- effortsesplural
1. the energy, time, and hard work that people use when they try very hard to do so
努力；心力
為達成目標付出的精力與時間
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.
儘管盡了最大努力，救援隊仍無法在天黑前抵達登山客所在的位置。
best efforts — common intensifier collocation
The school play succeeded thanks to the combined efforts of students and teachers alike.
學校戲劇的成功要歸功於學生和老師們共同的努力。
combined efforts — group collaboration pattern
Ayesha's efforts to start her own bakery finally succeeded after three years of saving money.
Ayesha 自己開麵包店的努力在存了三年錢後終於成功了。
efforts + to-infinitive
The city's efforts to reduce air pollution included planting thousands of new trees.
該市減少空氣污染的努力包括種植了數千棵新樹。
Zuri worked hard, but her efforts alone were not enough to finish the project on time.
Zuri 很努力，但光靠她一個人的努力不足以按時完成項目。
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
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
成果；作品
努力產出的結果（常指不完美者）
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.
那幅畫看起來很粗糙，但 Nora 的母親還是稱讚了她的藝術創作成果。
possessive + efforts — showing ownership of a result
Valentina showed me her early writing efforts, which were full of spelling mistakes.
Valentina 讓我看她早期的寫作成果，裡面充滿了拼字錯誤。
Bao's first efforts at cooking were not very tasty, but he kept practicing every weekend.
Bao 最初下廚的成果並不好吃，但他每個週末都持續練習。
efforts at + gerund
The committee reviewed the fundraising efforts and decided a new strategy was needed for next year.
委員會檢視了募款的成果，認為明年需要新的策略。
Joon considered his early poetry efforts embarrassing and burned all his old notebooks.
Joon 認為自己早期的詩歌成果很丟臉，於是燒掉了所有舊筆記本。
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
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').
常見錯誤
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
費力的事；辛苦的事
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.