efficiency

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "efficiency" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the ability to do something or produce something with a minimum amount of time, effort, or waste. For example: "The team worked with efficiency to complete the project in record time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I would never look at the energy efficiency rating of a product.

The Guardian

He said that, in addition to scrapping fossil fuel subsidies and introducing a carbon tax, the World Bank's plan involved spending more on energy efficiency, measures to make agriculture greener and changes to help cities become less polluted and more liveable.

The Guardian

It also calls for 50% of the state's electricity supply to be derived from renewable resources by that date, and 50% better energy efficiency in buildings through retrofits and upgrades.

The Guardian

It also recommended the government look for further efficiency gains in health and education, and broaden the tax base, including by changing the way self-employed workers are taxed.

The Guardian - Business

Our government might succeed in fooling us into believing that efficiency savings are not health cuts.

The Guardian

"Vorsprung durch Technik" became a motto for a nation that was putting the past behind it and restyling itself as a byword for quality, efficiency, progress and technology.

The Guardian

Getting more energy from renewables; increased energy efficiency; reducing the income gap; putting more reliable, durable products on the market (have you heard of planned obsolescence?); volunteering more for your community; preserving wetlands, forests, and farmland; shorter commutes and transport routes.

The Guardian

Then we looked at our big appliances – the fridge, the TV and the washing machine – and looked up the energy efficiency ratings of those.

The Guardian

We were pleasantly surprised by how well we've done when buying appliances, even though energy efficiency wasn't our main criterion – in fact, it wasn't even on the list.

The Guardian

Peter Bazalgette, the chair of Arts Council England, said the money could be saved from efficiency savings within the organisation rather than cuttting arts funding.

The Guardian

The Liberal Democrat spokesman enjoyed the best of the early exchanges, at one point using the Conservatives' scorn at Labour's magic "efficiency savings" to pour derision on the Tories' eerily similar strategy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "efficiency", specify the context or area where efficiency is being measured or improved. For example, instead of just stating "improve efficiency", specify "improve energy efficiency" or "improve operational efficiency".

Common error

Avoid using "efficiency" as a catch-all term without providing specific details. Instead of broadly aiming for "efficiency", identify specific goals like "reducing production costs by 15%" or "decreasing turnaround time by 20%". This adds clarity and measurability to your objectives.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "efficiency" is as a noun. It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, representing the quality or state of being efficient. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate it within contexts discussing energy, processes, and organizational performance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

28%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "efficiency" is a versatile noun widely used across various contexts, primarily in news, business, and scientific domains. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies the quality of maximizing output with minimal waste of resources. It maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using "efficiency", it's important to provide context and avoid overuse as a general term. Instead, specify the type of "efficiency" you are referring to, such as "energy efficiency" or "operational efficiency". Related terms include "effectiveness", "productivity", and "optimization".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

effectiveness

Replaces "efficiency" focusing on achieving desired outcomes, not necessarily with minimal waste.

productivity

Emphasizes the rate at which goods or services are produced.

optimization

Highlights the process of making something as functional or effective as possible.

streamlining

Focuses on simplifying or making a process more effective.

economy

Relates to careful management of resources to avoid waste.

expeditiousness

Emphasizes speed and efficiency in accomplishing something.

resourcefulness

Highlights the ability to find clever ways to overcome difficulties and use resources effectively.

competence

Focuses on the ability to do something successfully or efficiently.

performance

Emphasizes how well something fulfills its intended purpose.

skillfulness

Highlights the quality of being good at doing something, especially because of practice.

FAQs

How can I use "efficiency" in a sentence?

You can use "efficiency" to describe the extent to which time, effort, or cost is well used for a task. For instance, "The new system greatly improved the team's efficiency."

What are some synonyms for "efficiency"?

Alternatives to "efficiency" include "effectiveness", "productivity", and "optimization", each emphasizing slightly different aspects of achieving desired outcomes.

What's the difference between "efficiency" and "effectiveness"?

"Efficiency" focuses on minimizing waste and maximizing output with available resources, while "effectiveness" centers on achieving desired results, regardless of resource usage.

How is "efficiency" measured in different contexts?

The measurement of "efficiency" varies depending on the context. For example, in energy, it may be measured as the ratio of useful output energy to total input energy. In business, it could be measured through metrics like output per labor hour.