duplication of effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"duplication of effort" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to situations in which two or more people or organizations are both attempting to accomplish the same goal, wasting energy by independently doing the same work. For example, "The team was working inefficiently due to duplication of effort, since 5 people were all trying to write the same report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Duplication of effort is another concern.

The New York Times

Such duplication of effort implies waste.

Harvard Business Review

They also promote the addressing of unnecessary duplication of effort.

The Guardian

As a result, there is much duplication of effort.

The New York Times

Wouldn't there likely be a lot of duplication of effort?

The New York Times

We further urged that "the unnecessary duplication of effort by multiple committees" be minimized.

The New York Times

Without careful coordination, there is a real danger of waste and duplication of effort.

The New York Times

It's a ridiculous duplication of effort by Microsoft, and a double learning curve for you.

The New York Times - Tech

Inter-agency linkages and collaborations have been made a priority to avoid duplication of effort.

Cornell University

His argument is that keeping information secret is inefficient; it leads to unaesthetic duplication of effort.

University of California, Berkeley

Consequently, there has been substantial duplication of effort and incompatible infrastructure developed across many research groups.

Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Before starting a new project, conduct thorough research to ensure that the work hasn't already been done, minimizing potential "duplication of effort".

Common error

While "duplication of effort" is a useful phrase, avoid using it excessively without providing specific details about the duplicated efforts and their consequences. Always explain why the duplication is problematic, not just that it exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "duplication of effort" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a situation where resources are wasted due to repetitive actions. As exemplified by Ludwig, this phrase helps identify inefficiency in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "duplication of effort" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes inefficient repetition of work. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely employed across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. To avoid "duplication of effort", establish clear roles, use project management tools, and maintain open communication. While effective, avoid overuse without context, and remember to explain the why behind the issue. Related phrases include "redundant effort" and "overlapping work". Ludwig examples highlight its purpose in critiquing inefficiencies and suggesting better resource allocation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

redundant effort

Focuses on the unnecessary repetition of work.

overlapping work

Highlights the shared nature of tasks being performed separately.

replicated work

Emphasizes that the work is a copy or imitation of another's work.

wasteful redundancy

Directly points out the wastefulness associated with the repetition.

unnecessary overlap

Underscores that the activities are not required or beneficial.

repetitive tasks

Highlights the repeated nature of specific actions.

parallel efforts

Refers to separate actions moving in the same direction without coordination.

uncoordinated actions

Stresses the lack of synchronization between activities.

inefficient overlap

Indicates that the shared actions result in a loss of efficiency.

superfluous activity

Suggests the actions are excessive and not needed.

FAQs

How can I avoid "duplication of effort" in a team project?

Clearly define roles and responsibilities, use project management tools to track progress, and maintain open communication to ensure everyone is aware of who is doing what. Regular check-ins and status updates can also help prevent unintentional overlap.

What are the consequences of "duplication of effort" in an organization?

"Duplication of effort" can lead to wasted resources, increased costs, decreased efficiency, and potential conflicts among team members. It can also hinder overall productivity and innovation.

What's a more formal way to say "duplication of effort"?

While "duplication of effort" is already quite formal, you could use phrases like "redundancy of effort" or "overlapping responsibilities" in certain contexts to emphasize the inefficiency or lack of coordination.

How does "duplication of effort" differ from collaboration?

"Duplication of effort" implies an unintentional and wasteful repetition of work, whereas collaboration involves a coordinated effort to achieve a common goal. In collaboration, team members work together, leveraging their skills and resources in a synergistic manner to avoid "redundant effort".