A Diagram of the Mix-and-Match “Efforts” Universe

It’s another wild night chez Adams. As you might have figured out, I’m reassessing the whole efforts thing. I just banged out the chart above, as a way of showing the main permutations of efforts provisions.

It’s a wild world of efforts. The chart doesn’t even cover it all, as you can have the modifier following efforts, as in efforts in good faith.

Of course, this chart is just to show what’s out there. Don’t you dare think I’m inviting you to indulge in your own mix-and-match efforts party. Repeat after me: Use only reasonable efforts.

Do you think I should include this chart in the fourth edition, along with a text description?

About the author

Ken Adams is the leading authority on how to say clearly whatever you want to say in a contract. He’s author of A Manual of Style for Contract Drafting, and he offers online and in-person training around the world. He’s also head of Adams Contracts, a division of LegalSifter that is developing highly customizable contract templates.