effective agency

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "effective agency" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the capability or power of an organization or individual to act effectively and achieve desired outcomes. Example: "The success of the project was largely due to the effective agency of the team in coordinating their efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

FEMA was an effective agency under James Lee Witt.

The New York Times

an effective agency of American foreign policy, something it has failed to be throughout this administration.

The New Yorker

"Over the last two years, D.E.P. has risen to new heights — cutting costs while becoming a more efficient and effective agency," Mr. Bloomberg said in a statement.

The New York Times

Washington not only promotes democracy through mainstream programmes, but also funds the excellent National Endowment for Democracy, which is a flexible and effective agency.

The Economist

So let's admit that subsuming FEMA into the Department of Homeland Security was a giant mistake, and let's rebuild it under new leadership as the independent and effective agency it once was and must again become.

The New York Times

She declined to comment on her dinner with Mr. Howard, but through a spokesman said: "Why wouldn't our past presidents agree on shrinking government by transforming a bunch of bloated, ineffective and unaccountable consumer-protection bureaucracies into a smaller, streamlined, and effective agency?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Republicans have slowed progress by cutting funds for some of the world's most effective agencies tasked with fighting global diseases, including the U.S. Agency for International Development, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Association.

Huffington Post

Identifying strategies to create swift trust goes beyond volcanic response management, and has implications for developing effective multi-agency collaboration when agency representatives find themselves managing any hazard crises without prior contact.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

"The air board is probably California's most effective environmental agency," Mr. Magavern said.

The New York Times

Mr. Riera said the episode shattered a highly effective intelligence agency, leaving many officers demoralized and bewildered.

The New York Times

Researchers said that it remained to be seen just how effective the agency would be over time in the face of the industry's formidable legal firepower.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an organization, use "effective agency" to emphasize its ability to achieve specific goals and produce desired outcomes. For instance, "The success of the program hinged on the department being an effective agency in responding to crises".

Common error

Avoid pairing "effective agency" with weak verbs like "is" or "seems". Instead, use action verbs such as "operates", "manages", or "implements" to highlight the agency's active role and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "effective agency" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "effective" modifies the noun "agency". It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, describing an entity's capacity to produce a desired result. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "effective agency" is a grammatically correct and semantically valid expression, used to describe an entity's capacity to achieve its intended goals. As Ludwig AI pointed out, this phrase appears most frequently in news, scientific and formal business contexts. Alternatives like "efficient organization" or "capable authority" can be employed to express similar meanings, with slight variations in emphasis. When using "effective agency", ensure it's paired with action verbs to showcase the agency's active role. While the phrase is not exceedingly common, it maintains a consistent presence across credible sources, making it a reliable choice for professional and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

efficient organization

Focuses on the organization's ability to avoid wasting resources.

capable authority

Emphasizes the competence and power of the responsible entity.

competent department

Highlights the department's skill and effectiveness in performing its duties.

productive unit

Stresses the unit's output and efficiency.

successful operation

Focuses on the achievement of goals and positive outcomes.

influential body

Highlights the agency's ability to affect decisions and outcomes.

functional entity

Emphasizes the entity's ability to operate and fulfill its purpose.

operative mechanism

Focuses on the practical means by which something is accomplished or operates.

potent instrument

Emphasizes the power and effectiveness of a tool or means.

high-performing institution

Highlights consistent achievement and superior results.

FAQs

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

You can use "effective agency" to describe an organization or system that successfully achieves its objectives. For example: "The project's success relied on the department's effective agency in coordinating resources."

What are some alternatives to "effective agency"?

Consider using phrases like "efficient organization", "capable authority", or "competent department" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a very effective agency"?

Yes, using an intensifier like "very" is grammatically correct and can emphasize the degree to which the agency is effective. However, consider stronger synonyms or more descriptive language for a more impactful statement.

What is the difference between "effective agency" and "efficient agency"?

"Effective agency" emphasizes the achievement of desired outcomes, while "efficient agency" highlights the ability to achieve those outcomes with minimal waste of resources. An agency can be effective without being efficient, and vice versa.