effective

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "effective" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person, an object, a plan, or any other thing that is having a noticeable, strong, or successful result. Example sentence: The new marketing plan has been effective in increasing our sales.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

NHS Choices says the nasal spray is safer and more effective than the injected vaccine and has only minor side-effects such as a runny nose, fever, muscle ache and headache.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"So the real challenge for us as we debate our role in the EU is working out what we should be pushing forward, what we should be leading on within the EU, to make it – and us – a more effective economic and global power".

The Guardian

Anelay said: "The government believes the most effective way to prevent refugees and migrants attempting this dangerous crossing is to focus our attention on countries of origin and transit, as well as taking steps to fight the people smugglers who wilfully put lives at risk by packing migrants into unseaworthy boats".

The Guardian

It was found to be good in terms of how effective and caring it was.

The Guardian

It got top place on measures including providing effective care, safe care, co-ordinated care and patient-centred care.

The Guardian

On a composite "healthy lives" score, which includes deaths among infants and patients who would have survived had they received timely and effective healthcare, the UK came 10th.

The Guardian

"I think it would be a little irresponsible of an Australian government to order Australian personnel into this very dangerous situation if we didn't have effective risk mitigation strategies in place and at the moment there is no way of doing that".

The Guardian

We should now consider why African countries must invest in science and technology, how science creates wealth, and what Africa must do to achieve this "new liberation" – using its untapped natural wealth, human resources, and effective policy execution to create explosive wealth that by-passes western-led globalisation and creates national and continental technology hubs.

The Guardian

It is now beyond doubt that by the early 1990s the British state had agents littered all over the most effective paramilitary movement in the western world – the Provisional IRA.

The Guardian

The most effective NHS boards are now planning for the number of leaders they will need in each area ; the qualities they will require of these leaders ; planning to ensure that diverse groups are properly attracted and appointed to leadership positions at every level; and attracting strong fields of candidates from clinical backgrounds;.

The Guardian

A government spokesman told Guardian Australia a strong administration was necessary if APY was to operate as an institution that was effective and accountable to the communities it represented.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, use "effective" to specifically highlight the capability of producing a desired outcome or result.

Common error

Avoid using "effective" in overly general statements. Be specific about what is being made effective and the desired result. For example, instead of "We need an effective solution", specify "We need an effective solution to reduce production costs by 15%."

Linguistic Context

The word "effective" primarily functions as an adjective. It describes a noun by attributing to it the quality of being able to produce a desired or intended result. Ludwig provides many examples showing this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "effective" is a common adjective used to describe something that produces a desired result. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and versatile for various contexts. It sees frequent use in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science, with a neutral register suitable for different audiences. To enhance clarity, it's recommended to specify what is being made effective and the desired result. Related terms include "efficacious", "productive" and "fruitful", offering nuances for specific situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

efficacious

Emphasizes the power to produce a desired effect or result.

effectual

Similar to efficacious, emphasizing the capability to produce a desired result.

productive

Focuses on the ability to generate a significant quantity of output or results.

fruitful

Highlights the positive and beneficial outcomes achieved.

successful

Indicates the achievement of a desired outcome or goal.

operative

Stresses the functional and working nature of something.

efficient

Highlights achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.

potent

Implies a strong and powerful effect or influence.

serviceable

Focuses on the ability to fulfill a specific purpose or function adequately.

in force

Indicates that a law or rule is currently active and being applied.

FAQs

How can I use "effective" in a sentence?

"Effective" can be used to describe something that produces a desired result. For example, "The new strategy was very effective in increasing sales."

What can I say instead of "effective"?

You can use alternatives like "efficacious", "productive", or "fruitful" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "effective" or "efficient"?

"Effective" means producing a desired result, while "efficient" means achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense. They are related but not interchangeable. Choose "efficient" when the conservation of resources is the key aspect.

What's the difference between "effective" and "effectual"?

"Effective" and "effectual" are largely synonymous, both meaning capable of producing a desired effect. "Effective" is more commonly used in modern English.