Another way to say make an effort is try, put in effort, work toward, apply yourself, or take steps to. The best alternative depends on whether you mean persistence, urgency, cooperation, improvement, or a formal obligation. For legal writing, use a defined contractual standard rather than treating every synonym as equivalent.
Key Facts at a Glance
- “Make an effort” means intentionally using time, energy, attention, or resources toward an objective.
- “Try” is the shortest casual alternative, while “apply yourself” emphasizes sustained personal concentration.
- “Go the extra mile” implies doing more than the normal or expected amount.
- “Take steps to” sounds practical and focuses on specific actions rather than motivation.
- “Best efforts” and “best endeavors” are legal terms whose meaning can vary by jurisdiction and contract.
- Stronger wording does not guarantee better results; precise actions and deadlines usually communicate more effectively.
What Does “Make an Effort” Mean?
“Make an effort” means to deliberately do something that requires work, attention, persistence, or sacrifice in pursuit of a result. The phrase can describe a small action, such as replying thoughtfully, or sustained work, such as preparing for an examination.
The expression is broad because it does not specify the action, standard, duration, or expected result. “Please make an effort to attend” could mean arriving on time, rearranging a schedule, or simply showing greater commitment. The surrounding context supplies the missing detail.
Effort, intention, and outcome are different
An effort describes an attempt or input, not a guaranteed result. Someone can make a serious effort and still fail because of limited resources, poor timing, external events, or an ineffective strategy. In professional writing, separate the requested action from the desired outcome.
| Expression | Primary meaning | Implied evidence | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Make an effort | Apply intentional energy | Attempt or participation | Make an effort to attend |
| Try | Attempt something | Action may be limited | Try calling again |
| Work toward | Progress in a direction | Ongoing activity | Work toward a resolution |
| Achieve | Reach a result | Outcome is completed | Achieve the sales target |
| Commit to | Promise sustained support | Responsibility or dedication | Commit to weekly updates |
“Make an effort” is therefore useful when the speaker does not want to prescribe every step. It is less useful when the recipient needs measurable instructions.
What Is the Best Alternative to “Make an Effort”?
The best alternative is “take steps to” when you want clear, professional wording, “apply yourself” when discussing personal study or performance, and “go the extra mile” when praising additional service. No single synonym fits every register.
| Intended meaning | Best alternative | Tone | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attempt something | Try | Casual and direct | Try to resolve the issue today |
| Work harder | Put in more effort | Direct | Put in more effort on the next draft |
| Study or concentrate | Apply yourself | Formal, personal | Apply yourself to the training |
| Progress toward a goal | Work toward | Neutral | Work toward a workable agreement |
| Take practical action | Take steps to | Professional | Take steps to reduce delays |
| Do more than expected | Go the extra mile | Positive | She went the extra mile for the client |
| Continue despite difficulty | Persevere | Formal and strong | Persevere despite the initial setback |
| Use available resources | Use your resources | Operational | Use your resources to investigate the fault |
| Give focused attention | Devote attention to | Formal | Devote attention to the safety review |
| Support an objective | Contribute to | Cooperative | Contribute to the team’s recovery plan |
The safest general-purpose choice
Use “take steps to” when the sentence concerns a practical action. For example, “Please make an effort to reduce errors” becomes “Please take steps to reduce errors.” The revised version still allows judgment, but it signals that observable measures are expected.
Use “try” in ordinary conversation. Use “apply yourself” carefully because it can sound patronizing when directed at an adult colleague or an employee without specific performance evidence.
Which Alternatives Fit Different Tones?
Tone changes the social meaning of a synonym. A phrase can sound encouraging, critical, bureaucratic, or legally significant even when the dictionary meaning appears similar.
| Context | Recommended phrase | Avoid when | Sample sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friendly request | Try to | The task requires a formal record | Try to arrive by 9 a.m. |
| Workplace email | Take steps to | You only want emotional encouragement | Take steps to verify the figures |
| Performance review | Demonstrate greater consistency | Feedback lacks examples | Demonstrate greater consistency in weekly reports |
| Motivational speech | Rise to the challenge | The audience faces a routine task | Rise to the challenge before you |
| Customer service | Go the extra mile | The action is mandatory and paid for | We went the extra mile to restore access |
| Academic setting | Apply yourself | The recipient may read it as insulting | Apply yourself to the revision schedule |
| Formal report | Devote additional resources | The audience needs a simple request | Devote additional resources to testing |
| Contract | Use commercially reasonable efforts | The obligation needs no legal interpretation | The supplier will use commercially reasonable efforts |
Casual alternatives
The most natural casual alternatives are try, give it a shot, put some effort into it, work at it, and keep at it. “Give it a shot” emphasizes willingness to attempt something, while “keep at it” emphasizes persistence over time.
| Casual phrase | Effort emphasized | Strength | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Give it a shot | Willingness to attempt | Low | Give the repair a shot |
| Try again | Repetition | Low | Try again after restarting |
| Put some effort into it | Input and care | Medium | Put some effort into the presentation |
| Work at it | Continued practice | Medium | Work at it for another week |
| Keep at it | Persistence | Medium | Keep at it despite slow progress |
| Really apply yourself | Concentration | High | Really apply yourself this term |
“Try harder” is more forceful than “try,” but it often provides no usable direction. If the recipient does not know what to change, replace it with an action: “Check each calculation against the source data before submitting the report.”
How Do You Say “Make an Effort” Professionally?
Professional alternatives include take steps to, work toward, prioritize, allocate time to, address, improve consistency in, and demonstrate commitment to. The strongest choice names an observable behavior rather than judging someone’s attitude.
“Please make an effort to communicate earlier” can become “Please send a status update by 3 p.m. on each Friday.” The second sentence establishes a channel, frequency, and deadline, so the recipient can comply and the manager can assess performance.
Workplace email examples
| Vague wording | More precise wording | Why it works better |
|---|---|---|
| Make an effort to respond quickly | Reply within one business day | Defines the timeframe |
| Make an effort to be prepared | Review the agenda and bring two questions | Defines preparation |
| Make an effort to collaborate | Share the draft with the design team by Thursday | Defines cooperation |
| Make an effort to improve quality | Run the validation checklist before submission | Defines the control |
| Make an effort to meet the deadline | Submit the final file by 4 p.m. Friday | Defines the deliverable |
A useful practitioner rule is to replace an abstract effort phrase with one action, one owner, and one time condition. That rule improves accountability without requiring aggressive language.
What Should You Write in a Performance Review?
Performance reviews should use demonstrate, improve, increase, maintain, or develop, followed by evidence. “Make an effort” is often too vague because it evaluates motivation without identifying the behavior that produced the concern.
| Weak review phrase | Evidence-based alternative | Measurement example |
|---|---|---|
| Make more effort with deadlines | Improve deadline reliability | Deliver at least 9 of 10 assigned reports on time |
| Make an effort to communicate | Provide earlier status updates | Send updates when a risk appears, not after the due date |
| Try harder with customers | Strengthen customer follow-up | Close every open request within two business days |
| Show more commitment | Attend required planning sessions | Attend 90% of scheduled sessions |
| Make an effort to improve | Complete the agreed development plan | Finish two training modules by June 30 |
The phrase “demonstrate greater consistency” is useful when the problem concerns variable performance, but it should still be paired with examples. Feedback without evidence can sound personal, and personal criticism is harder to correct than a defined behavior.
Is “Go the Extra Mile” the Same as “Make an Effort”?
“Go the extra mile” is not a complete synonym for “make an effort.” It usually means doing more than the ordinary requirement, often to help a customer, colleague, or organization. “Make an effort” can describe merely meeting a basic expectation.
| Phrase | Minimum implication | Extra contribution | Suitable context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Make an effort | Attempt or participation | Not required | General requests |
| Put in effort | Meaningful work | Not required | Performance discussions |
| Go the extra mile | Normal duty completed | Expected to exceed it | Service and praise |
| Exceed expectations | Standard surpassed | Explicitly required by meaning | Reviews and awards |
| Take ownership | Responsibility accepted | Follow-through implied | Workplace accountability |
Do not use “go the extra mile” for a mandatory safety, legal, or accessibility requirement. A required control is not an optional favor, and praising it as extraordinary can obscure the organization’s actual duty.
What Is the Difference Between “Best Efforts” and “Reasonable Efforts”?
“Best efforts” and “reasonable efforts” are contractual standards, not interchangeable everyday synonyms. Their legal effect depends on the jurisdiction, wording, commercial context, and decisions interpreting the agreement.
| Term | General implication | Main risk | Safer drafting approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best efforts | High level of pursuit | Scope may be disputed | Define actions and limits |
| Reasonable efforts | Proportionate, practical action | Reasonableness is fact-specific | State objective milestones |
| Commercially reasonable efforts | Business-focused action | Commercial standards vary | Identify cost and risk limits |
| Due diligence | Investigation and verification | Not a general performance promise | List checks and documents |
| Best endeavors | Common in some jurisdictions | Interpretation differs by country | Obtain local legal review |
Due diligence is especially easy to misuse. It means a systematic investigation, such as reviewing financial statements, ownership records, licenses, or litigation. It does not simply mean “try hard.”
The overview’s suggested prices and timeframes for effort tiers should not be treated as universal facts. A vocabulary phrase has no standard dollar cost, team size, or duration; those figures depend on the project, industry, location, labor rates, and contractual scope.
How Can You Ask Someone to Try Harder Politely?
A polite request states the desired action, explains the reason when useful, and avoids judging the person’s character. Replace “You need to make more of an effort” with “Could you review the figures once more and send the corrected version by noon?”
| Situation | Polite wording | Direct wording |
|---|---|---|
| Missed deadline | Could you let me know earlier if the deadline is at risk? | Notify me as soon as a delay appears |
| Low-quality draft | Could you revise the evidence section using the source notes? | Add source support to each claim |
| Limited participation | Could you contribute one question during the next meeting? | Ask at least one question next time |
| Repeated error | Please use the checklist before submitting future files | Run the checklist before submission |
| Lack of follow-up | Could you contact the supplier again by Friday? | Contact the supplier by Friday |
Politeness does not require vagueness. A specific request is often less confrontational because it gives the recipient a fair way to succeed.
How Strong Are Common Alternatives?
The strongest phrase depends on whether “strong” means emotional force, operational precision, or legal commitment. “Work harder” has more emotional force than “take steps to,” but “take steps to” usually gives better practical direction.
| Phrase | Force level, 1-5 | Precision, 1-5 | Risk of sounding vague, 1-5 | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Try | 1 | 1 | 4 | Casual attempt |
| Make an effort | 2 | 1 | 4 | General encouragement |
| Put in more effort | 3 | 2 | 3 | Direct feedback |
| Work toward | 2 | 3 | 2 | Ongoing objective |
| Take steps to | 3 | 4 | 1 | Professional instruction |
| Prioritize | 4 | 3 | 2 | Competing tasks |
| Go the extra mile | 3 | 2 | 2 | Voluntary service |
| Apply yourself | 4 | 2 | 3 | Study or individual focus |
| Use reasonable efforts | 4 | 3 | 3 | Contractual setting |
A counterintuitive writing principle applies here: stronger-sounding language is not always stronger instruction. “Make a determined effort” sounds serious, but “send the revised proposal by 2 p.m. Thursday” creates a clearer obligation.
Common Mistakes When Replacing the Phrase
Treating every synonym as interchangeable
“Due diligence,” “go the extra mile,” and “apply yourself” describe different kinds of conduct. Substituting one for another can change the intended meaning rather than improve the sentence.
Using legal language for ordinary requests
“Use best endeavors” can sound artificial in an email to a colleague. It may also create unwanted contractual implications when copied into a statement of work or purchase agreement.
Confusing effort with success
A sentence such as “Make an effort to eliminate all errors” may imply that zero errors are guaranteed. If the actual requirement is review, write “Review every entry against the source record before submission.”
Giving motivation without a next action
“Please try harder” identifies dissatisfaction but not a remedy. Add a behavior, standard, and deadline so the recipient knows what a successful response looks like.
Promising an outcome through effort language
No synonym guarantees agreement, profit, approval, or delivery. External approvals, technical limits, supply shortages, and other dependencies can defeat a serious effort.
Quick Reference: 30 Alternatives
| Alternative | Best context | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Try | Casual request | Try to call tomorrow |
| Attempt | Formal description | Attempt to resolve the dispute |
| Put in effort | General feedback | Put more effort into preparation |
| Work at | Practice | Work at improving your pronunciation |
| Keep at it | Encouragement | Keep at it during revision |
| Persevere | Formal encouragement | Persevere through the training |
| Apply yourself | Study | Apply yourself to the course |
| Work toward | Shared objective | Work toward an agreement |
| Strive for | High standard | Strive for accuracy |
| Aim for | Target | Aim for a Friday completion |
| Take steps to | Action plan | Take steps to reduce waste |
| Act on | Response | Act on the inspection findings |
| Address | Problem-solving | Address the recurring fault |
| Prioritize | Competing demands | Prioritize the urgent requests |
| Focus on | Attention | Focus on the highest-risk account |
| Devote time to | Deliberate allocation | Devote time to testing |
| Invest time in | Development | Invest time in staff training |
| Contribute to | Cooperation | Contribute to the recovery plan |
| Support | Assistance | Support the implementation team |
| Participate actively | Meetings or groups | Participate actively in workshops |
| Demonstrate commitment | Formal evaluation | Demonstrate commitment to safety |
| Improve consistency | Performance feedback | Improve consistency in reporting |
| Show initiative | Independent action | Show initiative by raising risks early |
| Take ownership | Responsibility | Take ownership of the handover |
| Meet the challenge | Motivation | Meet the challenge responsibly |
| Rise to the challenge | Motivational speech | Rise to the challenge ahead |
| Go the extra mile | Additional service | Go the extra mile for customers |
| Exceed expectations | Recognition | Exceed expectations on response time |
| Use reasonable efforts | Contract | Use reasonable efforts to cooperate |
| Exercise due diligence | Investigation | Exercise due diligence before acquisition |
FAQ
What is a one-word synonym for “make an effort”?
Useful one-word synonyms include try, strive, endeavor, persevere, and attempt. “Try” is the most natural in everyday speech. “Endeavor” is formal, “strive” suggests a demanding goal, “persevere” emphasizes persistence, and “attempt” focuses on undertaking an action without promising success.
What is a nice way to say “you need to try harder”?
Say, “Could you focus on [specific action] before [deadline]?” For example, “Could you check each figure against the source data before submitting the report?” This wording addresses conduct rather than character and gives the person a measurable way to improve.
What is a formal way to say “make an effort”?
Formal alternatives include make every reasonable effort, take appropriate steps, devote sufficient resources, work toward the objective, and demonstrate commitment to. Choose the phrase according to the obligation. Use “take appropriate steps” for action and “devote resources” for staffing, funding, or equipment.
Can I use “endeavor” in a business email?
You can, but “endeavor” often sounds more formal than necessary. “We will endeavor to respond within two business days” is acceptable, while “We will aim to respond within two business days” sounds more direct. If the deadline is firm, write “We will respond within two business days.”
Is “make an effort” positive or negative?
“Make an effort” is neutral by itself, but its tone depends on context. “Thank you for making an effort” is positive. “You need to make more of an effort” is corrective and may sound critical. Specific requests usually reduce the negative implication.
What should replace “make an effort” in a contract?
Do not replace it with a synonym automatically. Define the required actions, deadlines, deliverables, exceptions, and standard of conduct, then have qualified counsel review the clause. Terms such as “reasonable efforts,” “best efforts,” and “commercially reasonable efforts” can carry different legal interpretations.
The Bottom Line
The right another way to say make an effort depends on the intended meaning. Use try for casual language, take steps to for professional instructions, apply yourself for focused personal work, go the extra mile for voluntary additional service, and work toward for an ongoing objective. In formal or contractual writing, replace vague effort language with defined actions, standards, and deadlines.
