n Effort To
English learners often confuse “in efforts to” and “in an effort to” because both expressions describe actions taken to achieve a goal.
However, they are not equally common or natural in everyday English. The key difference is that “in an effort to” is the standard and more widely used expression, while “in efforts to” is possible but much less common and usually refers to multiple or ongoing attempts.
If you are writing an essay, email, report, article, or academic assignment, “in an effort to” is usually the safer choice when you mean “with the aim of” or “in order to.”
Understanding the role of the article “an” also helps you recognize why the two expressions feel different.
Below, you will find clear rules, examples, common mistakes, and practical comparisons to help you choose the right expression confidently.
Quick Answer
“In an effort to” is the standard expression when you mean “with the aim of doing something.” “In efforts to” can be grammatically possible when referring to several or ongoing attempts, but it is less common. For most situations, especially formal and academic writing, use “in an effort to.”
Why Do People Confuse It?
The confusion comes from the noun effort. It can be either singular or plural:
- an effort = one particular attempt
- efforts = several attempts or sustained attempts
The phrase “in an effort to” is a well-established expression meaning “with the purpose of” or “with the intention of.”
For example:
The company changed its policy in an effort to reduce costs.
Here, the company is making a particular attempt to reduce costs.
“In efforts to” can also occur when the writer wants to emphasize multiple efforts:
The organizations worked together in efforts to improve public safety.
However, this construction is less natural for many speakers. In such cases, “in an effort to” or “in an effort to help” is often clearer.
First Word: “In”
In is a preposition. In the expression “in an effort to,” it forms part of a phrase that describes the purpose behind an action.
The basic pattern is:
in + an effort + to + verb
Examples:
- in an effort to help
- in an effort to improve
- in an effort to save
- in an effort to reduce
- in an effort to understand
The phrase usually answers the question “Why was this action taken?”
The school introduced new rules in an effort to improve attendance.
Why did the school introduce the rules?
To improve attendance.
Second Word: “Effort”
Effort means an attempt or the use of energy to achieve something.
When used in “an effort,” the noun is singular and countable, so it normally needs a determiner such as an.
Compare:
- an effort to solve the problem
- the effort to solve the problem
- their effort to solve the problem
- several efforts to solve the problem
The expression “in an effort to” therefore treats the action as a particular attempt to achieve a goal.
In Efforts To vs. In an Effort To: Comparison Table
| Expression | Meaning | Commonness | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| in an effort to | with the aim of doing something | Very common | General, formal, academic, and everyday writing |
| in efforts to | as part of several or ongoing attempts | Less common | Situations emphasizing multiple efforts |
| in order to | for the purpose of doing something | Very common | Direct statement of purpose |
| to | for the purpose of doing something | Extremely common | Simple, natural English |
Which expression should you choose?
If you are simply explaining why someone did something, choose “in an effort to.”
The government introduced the program in an effort to reduce unemployment.
If you specifically want to emphasize multiple attempts or continuing efforts, “efforts” may be appropriate, although another construction may sound more natural.
Several initiatives were launched as part of ongoing efforts to reduce unemployment.
When Should You Use Each?
Use “in an effort to” for one particular attempt
This is the normal choice when one action is presented as an attempt to achieve a goal.
She started exercising in an effort to become healthier.
The expression does not necessarily mean the attempt will succeed. It simply explains the purpose of the action.
Use “in efforts to” when referring to multiple efforts
The plural form can be used when the context clearly involves several attempts or actions.
Different organizations collaborated in efforts to protect the environment.
Still, many writers would prefer:
Different organizations collaborated in an effort to protect the environment.
Or:
Different organizations collaborated as part of efforts to protect the environment.
The second alternative is often more natural when efforts is deliberately plural.
10+ Examples of “In an Effort To”
- The company reduced prices in an effort to attract more customers.
- She left home early in an effort to avoid traffic.
- The school introduced new activities in an effort to encourage reading.
- The doctor recommended regular exercise in an effort to improve his health.
- The team changed its strategy in an effort to win the match.
- The city planted more trees in an effort to improve air quality.
- He turned off his phone in an effort to concentrate on his studies.
- The restaurant changed its menu in an effort to satisfy more customers.
- The company hired additional workers in an effort to complete the project on time.
- She spoke slowly in an effort to make herself understood.
- The researchers collected more data in an effort to understand the results.
- The organization launched a campaign in an effort to raise awareness.
Examples of “In Efforts To”
The plural construction is possible when efforts genuinely refers to multiple attempts or activities:
- Several groups worked together in efforts to improve local services.
- The countries cooperated in efforts to address the crisis.
- Researchers conducted several studies in efforts to find a solution.
- The organizations joined forces in efforts to protect endangered species.
Although these sentences can be understood, many speakers would find the following versions more natural:
- as part of efforts to improve local services
- in an effort to address the crisis
- in an effort to find a solution
- as part of efforts to protect endangered species
This is why “in efforts to” should not normally be your first choice.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Leaving out “an”
❌ The company changed its policy in effort to reduce costs.
✅ The company changed its policy in an effort to reduce costs.
The singular countable noun effort needs a suitable determiner here.
Mistake 2: Automatically using “efforts”
❌ She woke up early in efforts to catch the train.
✅ She woke up early in an effort to catch the train.
There is one particular attempt involved, so the singular expression is more natural.
Mistake 3: Using “in efforts to” when “efforts to” is better
❌ The government introduced several programs in efforts to reduce poverty.
✅ The government introduced several programs as part of efforts to reduce poverty.
The second sentence naturally presents the programs as part of broader, ongoing efforts.
Mistake 4: Confusing “effort” with “purpose”
“In an effort to” describes an attempt or action intended to produce a result. It does not guarantee success.
He studied harder in an effort to pass the exam.
This tells us his goal, not whether he actually passed.
Memory Trick
Think:
One clear attempt → “an effort”
in an effort to improve
Several or ongoing attempts → “efforts”
ongoing efforts to improve
A useful shortcut is:
“In an effort to” = “with the aim of.”
If you can replace the phrase with “with the aim of,” “in an effort to” will usually work.
American vs. British English
There is no major American-versus-British grammar difference between these expressions.
Both American and British English commonly use:
in an effort to
The plural “efforts” is also used in both varieties when the context calls for a plural noun.
The main issue is therefore natural usage and meaning, not national variation.
Similar Words and Expressions
Several expressions can replace “in an effort to”, depending on the sentence.
In order to
She left early in order to avoid traffic.
This directly expresses purpose.
To
She left early to avoid traffic.
This is shorter and often more natural in everyday English.
With the aim of
The campaign was launched with the aim of reducing waste.
This is relatively formal.
With the intention of
He moved abroad with the intention of finding better opportunities.
This emphasizes intention.
As part of efforts to
The program was introduced as part of efforts to improve education.
This works particularly well when discussing several or continuing initiatives.
Final Verdict
For most situations, use “in an effort to.” It is the standard, natural expression for explaining that someone did something with a particular goal in mind.
Use “in efforts to” only when the plural noun efforts is genuinely appropriate and the context emphasizes multiple attempts. Even then, alternatives such as “as part of efforts to” may sound more natural.
If you are unsure, this simple rule will usually help:
One particular attempt → “in an effort to.”
Several or ongoing attempts → “efforts to,” often after “as part of.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “in efforts to” grammatically correct?
Yes, “in efforts to” can be grammatically possible, particularly when “efforts” refers to multiple attempts. However, it is less common and often less natural than “in an effort to.”
Is “in an effort to” correct?
Yes. “In an effort to” is a standard English expression meaning “with the aim of” or “with the intention of.”
What is the difference between “in effort to” and “in an effort to”?
“In an effort to” is the standard form. The article “an” is needed because effort is a singular countable noun in this construction.
Can I use “in efforts to” in academic writing?
You can, when the context genuinely refers to multiple efforts. However, “in an effort to” or “as part of efforts to” may be more natural depending on the intended meaning.
Is “in an effort to” formal?
Yes, it is common in formal, academic, professional, journalistic, and everyday writing. It is not restricted to one type of English.
What is another way to say “in an effort to”?
Common alternatives include “in order to,” “with the aim of,” “with the intention of,” and simply “to.”
Does “in an effort to” mean the action was successful?
No. It only explains the purpose or intended goal of an action. The sentence does not tell you whether the attempt succeeded.
Should I say “in an effort of” or “in an effort to”?
Use “in an effort to + base verb.”
She studied harder in an effort to pass.
Do not normally use “in an effort of” for this purpose.
Remember This
“In an effort to” is the usual choice.
- in an effort to help ✅
- in an effort to improve ✅
- in an effort to reduce costs ✅
- in efforts to improve → possible, but less common
- in effort to improve ❌
When you mean one attempt with a particular goal, use “in an effort to.” When you mean multiple or ongoing attempts, consider “efforts to” or “as part of efforts to.”
The easiest replacement is “with the aim of.” If that meaning fits your sentence, “in an effort to” will usually be a natural and correct choice.
The important distinction is not simply singular versus plural grammar. It is also about natural English usage. Although “in efforts to” can appear in English, “in an effort to” is much more established as a fixed expression for explaining purpose.
For clear writing, especially when communicating with students, readers, customers, or professional audiences, choose the form that most directly expresses your meaning. In most cases, that form is “in an effort to.”
