in efforts to

Meaning

1. 1phrasefixed phraseformal

   used to introduce the purpose or goal of actions that people are trying to achieve

   Grammar: Comes before a verb phrase: in efforts to reduce costs. It is plural, so you say 'in efforts to', not 'in effort to'.

   Patterns

   • in efforts to do something
   • in efforts to reduce/increase/improve something

   The city planted hundreds of trees in efforts to clean the air.

   Schools have changed their rules in efforts to reduce bullying.

   The company cut prices in efforts to attract more customers.

Common combinations

in efforts to reduce

The factory changed its methods in efforts to reduce waste.

in efforts to improve

Teachers met every week in efforts to improve test results.

in efforts to prevent

New laws were passed in efforts to prevent accidents.

in efforts to attract

The store stayed open late in efforts to attract shoppers.

in efforts to address

Leaders held talks in efforts to address the crisis.

Synonyms and how they differ

in an effort to

The singular form is more common and slightly more natural, especially in speech and general writing.

in order to

This simply states a purpose and is more neutral and common; it does not suggest repeated or difficult attempts.

in a bid to

This is a news-style phrase meaning the same thing, but it sounds more dramatic and journalistic.

Word family

effort noun

the physical or mental energy used to do something

effortless adjective

done without any difficulty or apparent effort

Commonly confused: in efforts to or in effort to?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “in efforts to”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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