MAKING AN EFFORT
A. ADJ + N COLLOCATIONS
A determined effort
=> Mike has made a determined effort to save money
A concerted effort
=> We made a concerted effort to meet all the deadlines this week
A joint effort
=> I couldn't have done it on my own. It was truly a joint effort
A team effort
=> The manager congratulated the sales force on their magnificent team effort
A valiant effort /a/
=> Meena has made a valiant effort to keep up with work despite her illness
=> Oxford dic:
‘valiant’
SYNONYMS
brave, fearless, courageous, valorous, plucky, intrepid, heroic, stout-hearted, lionhearted, manly, manful, bold, daring, audacious, gallant, confident, spirited, stout, undaunted, dauntless, doughty, mettlesome, unalarmed, unflinching, unshrinking, unblenching, unabashed, undismayed
determined, stalwart, staunch, indomitable, resolute, steadfast, firm, unyielding, unbending, unfaltering, unswerving, unwavering, stubborn, dogged
North American rock-ribbed
informal game, gutsy, spunky, ballsy
ANTONYMS
cowardly, irresolute
‘He thought that he would be rewarded for valiant actions with a hero's welcome when he returned to shore.’
‘That first-half lead was protected by some valiant defending, not least from the impressive Richard Dunne.’
‘Although Vic made a valiant effort to overtake the leaders, he fell short by a few points.’
‘Bruno loves Sonia and makes a valiant effort to make her happy once again.’
‘I have to say we made a valiant effort - after each set back we picked ourselves up, brushed the dirt of our knees and skated on.’
‘As always, there are a few, valiant individual journalists doing their best.’
‘Reports indicate that she made a valiant attempt to escape the fusillade of bullets but was chased and shot anyway.’
‘Apparently, he had made a valiant effort to turn the whole thing into a classroom.’
‘He is someone who has given his all to the game and should go out after a valiant effort, win or lose.’
‘We should never forget the sacrifices made during the Second World War, nor the lives lost as part of a vital and valiant struggle.’
‘This book is a history of its ten years' valiant work in maintaining the high standards one has come to expect of British newspapers.’
‘The singer feigns ignorance, and makes a valiant if contradictory effort to keep up appearances.’
‘These are our valiant soldiers, the ones who die for us on the battlefield and in the electric chair.’
‘Despite a decided lack of knowledge of the rules of the sport they played a valiant game.’
‘Nevertheless, it's more than likely that their valiant efforts will be in vain.’
‘Her career had been marked by close defeats and valiant efforts.’
‘Though their efforts were valiant it was painfully obvious it had little effect on the blaze.’
‘He was a valiant warrior and and a great hunter who roamed over the whole earth.’
‘They made a valiant attempt to avoid capture, but were forced to give themselves up because his friend was too badly injured to go on.’
‘New recruits can be invited to the army halls in order to train and become valiant warriors.’
Strenuous effort
=> Strenuous efforts were made to prevent the story from reaching the papers
Give it one's best shot
=> Although Kerry didn't succeed in breaking the record, he gave it his best shot
An abortive attempt: failed attempt
=> They made several abortive attempts to climb the mountain
Physical exertion
=> I'm exhausted - I'm not used to so much physical exertion
A hard slog: (inf) hard work
=> It was a hard slog getting my thesis finished on time but I made it!
Un uphill struggle
=> It'll be an uphill struggle persuading the boss to make the changes you want
B. CAREERS ADVICE
If you heed our warnings we guarantee you will reap the rewards of your efforts.
Those who ignore our advice tend to find their career is doomed to failure.
So if you have a desperate desire to succeed, don't just pin your hopes on good luck.
Our method stood the test of time.
You know it's got to be worth a try.
From "English Collocations in Use - Advanced" by Cambridge University Press.
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