great efforts vs great effort

Both "great efforts" and "great effort" are correct, but they are used differently depending on the context. "Great efforts" is used when referring to multiple actions or attempts made to achieve a goal, while "great effort" is used when emphasizing the intensity or quality of a single action or attempt.

Explained by Laurie Jeanne
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: October 30, 2024 • 12808 views

great efforts

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to multiple actions or attempts made to achieve a goal.

Use 'great efforts' when you want to emphasize the collective actions or attempts made by a group or individual to achieve something.

Examples:

She put in great efforts to complete the project on time.
Their great efforts paid off in the end.
The team made great efforts to win the championship.

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I know that your country is making great efforts to present a sufficient number of projects.
But great efforts do not necessarily lead to great results.
Madam President, many congratulations to the rapporteur, Mr Staes, on an excellent report and for the great efforts he made to achieve compromise and consensus amongst the different political groups.
First of all, last year great efforts were made, through meetings, informal contacts or official letters, to solve the problems encountered by foreign ski instructors wishing to pursue their activities in France, and real progress was made.
Secondly, our Member States are making great efforts in fiscal consolidation.
I can only agree with what Mrs Pack has said and confirm the great efforts Croatia is making to come closer to the European Union.
Another area in which great efforts are needed is agriculture.
It is positive that the Commission is making great efforts to achieve the priority Kyoto targets and is taking a distinctly pioneering role in the climate debate.
The EU must also make great efforts, and I am therefore pleased about the constructive tone that exists in this House.
So far as the budget is concerned, I would point out that producers are making great efforts.
Yet we must also recognise that great efforts have been made in recent years to put things right.
We in the European Union acknowledge the great efforts that have been made in Ukraine in recent years.
We are a long way from the objective that we set ourselves, and therefore great efforts must be made to mobilise donors.
Countries like Croatia, which are making great efforts and in my opinion are further on in many respects, will be blocked.
In Portugal and in other countries great efforts have been made, but more needs to be done.
Both sides are going to have to continue making great efforts to breathe life into that agreement.
The Copenhagen political criteria have still not been fulfilled, despite Turkey's great efforts in that direction, the great successes it has had and the great progress it has made.
Though I acknowledge the great efforts made by the Commission and this Parliament to close this gap, it is absolutely essential that the media be involved, as well as national parliaments.
I was one for too long myself not to understand them, at a time when they are being asked to make great efforts to put public finances in order.
The challenge today is to use the very same formula - great efforts combined with a European incentive - to take the country forward.

Alternatives:

significant efforts
tremendous efforts
intense efforts
determined efforts
sustained efforts

great effort

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when emphasizing the intensity or quality of a single action or attempt.

Use 'great effort' when you want to highlight the dedication, intensity, or quality of a specific action or attempt.