effective to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "effective to" is not commonly used in written English and may not be considered correct in most contexts.
It can be used when discussing the effectiveness of a method or action in achieving a specific outcome, but it is often better to use "effective in" or "effective for." Example: "The new training program has proven to be effective to improve employee productivity."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Equation (3) is effective to depict the outlier effect.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

It's effective to establish common ground.

The New Yorker

And he finds it effective to personalize trauma.

The New York Times

It is more effective to pose indirect questions.

The New York Times

Can an alternate politics be effective to change our direction?

The New Yorker

"Small ball was effective to a certain degree".

The New York Times - Sports

I'm sorry I have nothing more effective to propose".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The homes are A+ energy-rated and highly cost-effective to run.

The Guardian

Would it be cost-effective to run screening and vaccination programmes in tandem?

The Guardian

Others simply aren't cost-effective to deploy right now.

TechCrunch

Dialysis modality should be simple, cost-effective to save lives.

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the effectiveness of something, use "effective in" or "effective for" rather than "effective to" for grammatically correct phrasing.

Common error

Avoid using "to" after "effective" when indicating what something achieves. While seemingly intuitive, it is more appropriate to say "effective in reducing risks" or "effective for treating symptoms".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "effective to" functions as a connector, indicating the intended outcome or purpose of an action or strategy. However, as Ludwig indicates, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect, with "effective in" or "effective for" being the preferred alternatives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "effective to" appears frequently in various sources, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig suggests that the more appropriate alternatives are "effective in" or "effective for", depending on the context. The phrase is used to express the intended outcome of a method or approach and is seen in both scientific and news contexts. To ensure clarity and grammatical correctness, it's best to opt for the recommended alternatives. Common sources using this phrase include The New York Times, The Guardian, and The New Yorker. Although common, be mindful of its grammatical status and prefer the alternatives whenever possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

effective in

Replaces 'to' with 'in', which is grammatically more standard when describing what something is good at.

effective for

Replaces 'to' with 'for', changing the preposition to indicate suitability for a particular purpose.

able to

Shifts the focus from effectiveness to capability, indicating the capacity to achieve a result.

capable of

Similar to 'able to', but often implies a degree of skill or competence.

successful in

Replaces 'effective' with 'successful', focusing on the achieved outcome rather than the inherent quality.

instrumental in

Highlights the role of something as a key factor in achieving a result.

helpful in

Suggests that something provides assistance, without necessarily being the primary cause of success.

useful for

Indicates that something has a practical application or benefit.

efficient at

Focuses on the speed or lack of wasted resources in achieving an outcome.

adept at

Implies skillful or expert performance.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "effective to"?

While sometimes used, "effective to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use "effective in" or "effective for" instead.

What are some alternatives to "effective to"?

Alternatives include "successful in", "able to", or "capable of", depending on the context.

When should I use "effective in" versus "effective for"?

"Effective in" is typically used when describing an action or process, while "effective for" is used when describing a purpose or condition. For example, "exercise is effective in reducing stress" versus "this medicine is effective for headaches".

How can I improve my writing by avoiding the phrase "effective to"?

Focus on using precise prepositions like "in" or "for" after "effective". Review your sentences to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness; consider alternatives like "instrumental in" or "helpful in".