be far less effective

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be far less effective" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is significantly less effective compared to another option or standard. Example: "If we do not implement the new strategy, our current approach will be far less effective in achieving our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Without the shadows, this idiom would be far less effective.

The Guardian - Arts

But plutonium dispersed outdoors in the open air, they estimated, would be far less effective.

The New York Times - Magazine

Trying to mitigate the problem with tariffs will be far less effective, and will impose a lot of collateral damage.

The New York Times

But legal experts say that such a defense may well be far less effective in a Federal case.

The New York Times

What works with locomotives and oil rigs, however, can be far less effective when it comes to influencing people's behaviors.

Harvard Business Review

Dalton proved to be far less effective when he wasn't able to make throws from a clean pocket.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Part-time teams are far less effective.

Harvard Business Review

They are far less effective than surgery.

Seminars in Colon and Rectal Surgery

The Yankees' No. 9 hitter, Cody Ransom, was far less effective.

The New York Times - Sports

While Humans and Mr Robot are far less effective, they're after similar goals.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Because what I loved as a kid is far less effective to my adult sense.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be far less effective", ensure the context clearly establishes what the subject is being compared to. This provides a clear understanding of the diminished effectiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "be far less effective" when the subject is only slightly less effective. Ensure the difference in effectiveness is significant enough to warrant the strong phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be far less effective" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe something that has a significantly reduced level of effectiveness compared to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be far less effective" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a substantial reduction in effectiveness. Ludwig confirms its appropriateness for use in written English. It appears most frequently in News & Media contexts and possesses a neutral tone suitable for various writing styles. Remember to use it when you want to stress that something is notably inferior in terms of achieving its intended purpose. When using this phrase, it's important to provide context for comparison to ensure the diminished effectiveness is clear to the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prove significantly less effective

Emphasizes the demonstration or evidence of reduced effectiveness.

turn out to be considerably less effective

Highlights the unexpected nature of the reduced effectiveness.

end up being substantially less effective

Focuses on the final outcome and the considerable decrease in effectiveness.

become notably less effective

Stresses the noticeable or remarkable decline in effectiveness.

be considerably less potent

Replaces "effective" with "potent," indicating a reduced strength or impact.

be substantially weakened

Focuses on the weakening of the effect or impact.

fail to achieve the desired outcome

Shifts the focus to the failure of reaching the intended result.

have a diminished impact

Highlights the reduced influence or consequence.

be of limited utility

Emphasizes the restricted usefulness or practicality.

lose much of its effectiveness

Highlights the loss of effectiveness over time or due to certain factors.

FAQs

What does "be far less effective" mean?

The phrase "be far less effective" indicates that something is significantly less successful or productive compared to another thing or a previous state. It emphasizes a substantial reduction in effectiveness.

How can I use "be far less effective" in a sentence?

You can use it to compare different approaches or methods, for example: "Using outdated software will "be far less effective" than adopting the latest technology."

What are some alternatives to "be far less effective"?

Alternatives include phrases like "prove significantly less effective", "turn out to be considerably less effective", or "become notably less effective", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "be far less effective" instead of "be less effective"?

Use "be far less effective" when you want to emphasize a significant difference in effectiveness. If the difference is minor, "be less effective" is more appropriate.