Why all this effort expended to put him in the company of Prionde's sons?

Life had taken on a sameness, with diminishing returns for the effort expended.

So much effort expended to reach this place and it all seemed for nothing.

So much effort expended to gain possession of its magic and all for nothing.

The opponents, however, do not appear likely to give up despite the time, effort and money expended so far.

Then all psychic effort expended on the question would return to me in kind, as an answer.

At some point there is a law of diminishing returns for the effort expended.

This would explain the great effort expended in moving the stones long distances: they had a specific quality and function.

Therefore such burrows give you a greater return for the effort expended.

All the effort she'd expended to break into Pen's personal files, and there was nothing here.