effort

[peter123]

Hi there,

Could you proofread?

1. Their efforts are rewarded.
2. Their efforts have been paid.
3. They have made a lot of efforts to break through the obstacles.
4. They have put in a lot of efforts to achieve good school results.
5. They have put a lot of efforts in achieving good school results.

thanks
pas

[David L.]

1. Their efforts are rewarded.
2. Their efforts have been rewarded.
3. They have made a lot of effort to overcome the obstacles.
4. They have put in a lot of effort to achieve (such) good school results.
5. They have put a lot of effort into achieving good school results.

Despite all their efforts, the rescue team were unable to save the drowning animal.

Despite all my efforts, I was not able to persuade even one of them to ...

[peter123]

Hi there,
Thanks David.

But I don't understand number 3-5, effort is singular.

thanks
pete

[David L.]

I proofread the sentences you gave, as they were. You could also have written:

1. Their effort is rewarded.
2. Their effort has been rewarded.

These sentences now imply that the 'they' (their effort) were working as a team, that it was some combined effort towards a common goal, as opposed to working individually eg a rowing team who have just won a race. Here, one is referring to "the team" (singular)

When used in the plural in sentences 1 and 2, it implies, for example, that all members of a class studied hard individually, and they all passed - 'their efforts have been rewarded' (the members of that class); or similarly, it could also apply to members of a youth group who spent a weekend turning a dumping site into a children's playground and "whose efforts were rewarded by the happy smiles of the children who came to use the playground."(members of the youth group.

[peter123]

Hi there,
Thanks David very much. One more question. I read the Longman dictionary. It says ' [C or U] physical or mental activity needed to achieve something'
So that means 'effort' can be uncountable sometimes. I don't when to use effort as uncountable and countable.

Thanks
pete

[vil]

Hi peter123,

I will try to help you by means of a few definitions and examples.

effort = a series of actions advancing principle or tending towards a particular end
"he supported populist campaigns"
"they worked in the cause of world peace"
"the team was ready for a drive toward the pennant"
( pennant = a flag that symbolizes the championship of a league, especially a professional baseball league.)
"contributed to the war effort"

for example "the war effort" = the total work done to achieve a particular end or amount of exertion expended for a specified purpose.

The results you achieve will be in direct proportion to the effort you apply.

"Have you ever watched a stonecutter at work? He will hammer away at rock for perhaps a 100 times without a crack showing in it. Then, in the 101st blow, it will split in two. It is not that blow alone which accomplished the result, but the 100 others that went before as well."

You know the following widespread examples with : "a lot of people",
"a lot of time", "a lot of happiness"

"A lot of people think the economy is declining."

"Do you spend a lot of time on your computer?"

"It take a lot of time to be a genius."

"Do you spend a lot of time with your grandchildren?"

"Do our workers make a lot of money?"

On the analogy of the written above we can write a few examples with "effort":

"A lot of effort was made to ensure that Arafat reached Kaluata in time"

"It should be noted that the Allies put a lot of effort into the Norwegian theater simply to force Sweden into joining the war."

"A lot of people think selling require a lot of effort."

I think you know the meaning of "a lot of" = very many, a large number, very much"

If you read once more again the DavidL's post you will make clear yourself position.

Happy new 2008 year.

Regards.

V.

[RonBee]

Hi there,

Could you proofread?

1. Their efforts are rewarded.
2. Their efforts have been paid.
3. They have made a lot of efforts to break through the obstacles.
4. They have put in a lot of efforts to achieve good school results.
5. They have put a lot of efforts in achieving good school results.

Say:

Their efforts were rewarded.

The rest have been commented upon.

[David L.]

Their tireless fundraising activities on behalf of the hedgehog population of Surrey are now so visibly rewarded in this, the first baby hedgehog born in captivity, and taking the hedgehog from the list of endangered species.

[peter123]

Hi there,

Thanks


Then how about this?

Any difference if I use plural 'efforts' in the following two sentences?


He lifted the box easily, without much effort.
It takes a lot of time and effort to get an exhibition ready.


Thanks
pete

[David L.]

Both sentences take the singular only.