an effective

USAGE SUMMARY

"an effective" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is capable of producing a desired result. For example, "The coach employed an effective strategy to win the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Vat an effective leasssssh".

The New Yorker

It's an effective play".

The New York Times - Sports

He was an effective mime.

The New Yorker

Luckily, an effective treatment exists.

The Economist

2. She's an effective communicator.

The New Yorker

Talk about an effective deterrent!

The New York Times

Dugher is an effective communicator.

Independent

"It's an effective drug.

The New York Times

And an effective disguise.

The New York Times

It's an effective frame.

The New York Times

The world desperately needs an effective WTO.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an effective" to describe methods, strategies, or tools that reliably produce the desired outcome. Ensure the context clearly indicates what makes it effective.

Common error

Avoid using "an effective" as a generic positive descriptor. Specify the context and evidence that support the claim of effectiveness, rather than simply asserting it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an effective" functions as a determiner and adjective, modifying a noun to indicate that something is capable of producing a desired result. As confirmed by Ludwig, it suggests a quality of success or efficacy. The examples provided demonstrate its role in describing various successful strategies, treatments, and methods.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Academic sources

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an effective" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something capable of producing a desired result. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media, Wiki, and Scientific sources. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific outcome makes the described thing effective and avoid overstating its effectiveness without providing supporting evidence. Alternatives like "successful", "potent", and "productive" can add nuance, but always ensure that your word choice fits the intended meaning and the context. Be mindful of the difference between "effective" and "efficient" and always use "an" instead of "a" before "effective".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a successful

Replaces 'effective' with a direct synonym, emphasizing the achievement of a desired outcome.

a potent

Indicates strength and power in achieving the intended result, rather than mere effectiveness.

a productive

Focuses on the output or results generated by the action, rather than its inherent effectiveness.

a capable

Highlights the ability to achieve results, focusing on potential rather than demonstrated effectiveness.

a worthwhile

Emphasizes the value and benefit derived from something, implying effectiveness in achieving a positive outcome.

a practical

Focuses on the feasibility and applicability of something, suggesting it is effective in real-world scenarios.

a beneficial

Highlights the positive impact and advantages resulting from something, implying it is effective in producing good outcomes.

a constructive

Indicates a positive and helpful impact, implying effectiveness in building or improving something.

a powerful

Emphasizes the strength and impact of something, rather than its precise efficiency or success rate.

a vigorous

Indicates energy and intensity, suggesting effectiveness through force and dynamism.

FAQs

How can I use "an effective" in a sentence?

Use "an effective" to describe something that produces the intended or desired result. For example, "The company implemented "an effective marketing strategy"."

What are some alternatives to "an effective"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a successful", "a potent", or "a productive". Choose the alternative that best fits the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "an effective strategy" or "a effective strategy"?

"An effective strategy" is correct. Use "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound.

What's the difference between "an effective" and "an efficient"?

"Effective" means producing a desired result, while "efficient" means achieving a result with minimal wasted effort or resources. "An effective solution" might work well, but "an efficient solution" achieves the same result with less waste.