counterproductive to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "counterproductive to" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when describing an action that has the opposite desired effect. For example, "Some of the company's policies have been counterproductive to its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"That's counterproductive to our country".

The Guardian

But those stories seemed counterproductive to Canada.

The New York Times - Magazine

High-octane trading may be counterproductive to taxpayers, for sure.

The New York Times

"It is counterproductive to the interests of both our countries".

The New York Times

BELMAR: Well, and frankly it's counterproductive to dialogue.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This is counterproductive to the goals of health care reform".

The New York Times

Renewables are not counterproductive to bird conservation if done properly.

The Guardian

But it is counterproductive to reject the good because it is not the best.

Independent

Pursuit of their suggestion would be counterproductive to the European project.

The Economist

It's counterproductive to learning and the No. 1 worst thing we do".

The New York Times - Magazine

"This announcement was counterproductive to our efforts to resume negotiations between the parties," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "counterproductive to", ensure the sentence clearly identifies the goal or outcome being negatively affected. This adds precision and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid vague statements. Always specify what the action is "counterproductive to". For example, instead of saying 'The policy is counterproductive', clarify: 'The policy is "counterproductive to" employee morale'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "counterproductive to" functions as a qualifying adjective modifying an action, strategy, or policy. It indicates that the subject hinders or obstructs a specific goal. Ludwig confirms its appropriate usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "counterproductive to" is a versatile and frequently used expression for describing actions or policies that impede progress toward a specific goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for a wide range of writing contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly specify the goal that is being undermined. While alternatives like "detrimental to" or "harmful to" exist, "counterproductive to" specifically highlights the failure to achieve the intended outcome. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, this phrase is a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

detrimental to

Indicates harm or damage caused to something.

harmful to

Implies a negative impact, often causing damage or injury.

adverse to

Suggests an opposing or unfavorable effect.

prejudicial to

Signifies a negative impact that affects fairness or justice.

unfavorable to

Indicates a lack of support or a negative effect.

inimical to

Describes something hostile or unfriendly, often hindering progress.

impeding

Focuses on the act of slowing down or preventing progress.

working against

Implies an active opposition or hindrance to a goal.

self-defeating

Describes an action that ultimately undermines one's own goals.

not conducive to

Suggests a lack of suitability or conduciveness to a particular outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "counterproductive to" in a sentence?

Use "counterproductive to" to describe actions or policies that hinder a desired outcome. For example, "Excessive regulation can be "counterproductive to" innovation".

What are some alternatives to "counterproductive to"?

Alternatives include "detrimental to", "harmful to", or "adverse to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "counterproductive for" or "counterproductive to"?

"Counterproductive to" is generally preferred and more common when indicating that something hinders a specific goal or outcome. "Counterproductive for" is less frequent.

What's the difference between "counterproductive to" and "ineffective for"?

"Counterproductive to" implies that an action actively hinders progress, while "ineffective for" simply means it doesn't produce the desired result. An action can be ineffective without being actively harmful, but "counterproductive to" always suggests a negative impact.