a question of efficiency

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a question of efficiency" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing matters related to effectiveness, productivity, or resource management in various contexts. Example: "The decision to implement new software is primarily a question of efficiency, as it will streamline our operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"It's a question of efficiency of capital.

The New York Times

"It is a question of efficiency, in order to leverage a change of position in the U.S. "We want this decision to be reversed.

The New York Times

"It's a question of efficiency," says Luis Valença, the Grupo CCR executive in charge of Via Quatro.

Forbes

It's a politics of systems and social control: Power is always a question of efficiency and problem-solving, never one of justice.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

When asked what Shire could do more efficiently in Luxembourg, Carruthers said: "It is not necessarily a question of comparative efficiency, we could have this lending in and lending out in all sorts of other jurisdictions.

The Guardian - Business

Minor comments: 1) It is surprising why EGFP-Rab26 is not LC3 positive: is this a question of weaker efficiency or eGFP-Rab26?

eLife

Due to variations in methodological quality, treatment regimens and the difficulty of including enough patients for a powerful study, the question of efficiency of antibiotic prophylaxis in acute necrotising pancreatitis can not be answered by clinical studies.

Critical Care

A fairly clear consensus coming out of the panel discussions was that the question of efficiency should indeed be a central issue in the dialogues between the two ministries and that there was certainly a lot of common ground on which to build a strategic and ongoing dialogue regarding the best use of resources.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

In addition, the fact that the most important flows always connect to the same center naturally leads to the question of efficiency and congestion in such a system.

Plosone

It is not a question of nuclear or renewables or efficiency.

The Guardian

By simultaneously examining the cost effectiveness of a core set of interventions across a range of key neuropsychiatric conditions, this paper primarily addresses the question of efficiency.

British Medical Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a question of efficiency" to introduce a discussion or analysis of how effectively resources are being used, particularly when evaluating different options or approaches.

Common error

Avoid using "a question of efficiency" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "efficiency considerations" or addressing the specific aspects of efficiency being discussed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a question of efficiency" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a topic for discussion or analysis. According to Ludwig, it correctly frames effectiveness, productivity, or resource management as a central point of inquiry. It is used to highlight that efficiency is not a given but requires investigation and potentially, improvement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a question of efficiency" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that introduces a topic concerning the effectiveness of resource utilization. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While not exceedingly common, it serves as a clear indicator that efficiency is under evaluation, prompting consideration of potential improvements. Alternatives like "a matter of efficiency" and "an issue of efficiency" offer similar meanings, although the original phrase retains a unique nuance of open inquiry. When using the phrase, ensure it isn't overused and consider varying your language for enhanced readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a matter of efficiency

Replaces "question" with "matter", focusing on efficiency as the central point.

an issue of efficiency

Substitutes "question" with "issue", highlighting efficiency as a problem or concern.

a point of efficiency

Changes "question" to "point", emphasizing efficiency as a specific aspect to consider.

the efficiency concern

This is a more concise version that turns the phrase into a noun phrase, emphasizing concern about efficiency.

the efficiency problem

Replaces "question of" with "problem", suggesting a challenge related to efficiency.

efficiency considerations

Expresses the idea as multiple considerations related to efficiency, rather than a single question.

efficiency implications

Focuses on the effects or consequences related to efficiency.

efficiency aspects

Replaces the entire phrase with the aspects of efficiency.

efficiency dimensions

Instead of a question, efficiency has a new perspective.

efficiency factors

Expresses the idea as factors related to efficiency.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a question of efficiency" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "an issue of efficiency" or "efficiency considerations" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "a matter of efficiency" and "a question of efficiency"?

While both phrases are similar, "a matter of efficiency" often implies a more settled or recognized issue, while "a question of efficiency" suggests an open or debatable point.

Is it always necessary to include "a question of" when discussing efficiency?

No, you can often address efficiency directly. For example, instead of saying "It's a question of efficiency", you could say "Efficiency is the primary concern" or "We need to improve efficiency".

When is it appropriate to use "a question of efficiency" in business writing?

Use "a question of efficiency" when evaluating different operational strategies, assessing resource allocation, or proposing improvements to workflow processes in business communications.