efficiently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "efficiently" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the effectiveness and productivity of an action or process, often implying minimal waste of resources or time. Example: "The team worked efficiently to complete the project ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Interconnecting grids internationally would permit the generation and transfer of electricity at least possible cost, which would not only ensure efficient utilization of natural resources, but also access to tapping efficiently generated power across international boundaries.

The Economist

"This kind of honest dialogue is essential for identifying shared priorities and deploying scarce resources most efficiently.

The Guardian

Mauricio Isla (Chile) As a manager you want a full-back to close down spaces, track down the opposition and go forward efficiently.

The Guardian - Sport

We spy upon them much more efficiently than you will ever be able to.

The Guardian - Tech

Now, because we have to meet targets, wards are discharging patients more efficiently, medicines are being dispensed more quickly, transport is being arranged faster - it's all nitty-gritty stuff but it all helps when people work together to solve a problem.

The Guardian

That has less to do with boundaries (although that has had an effect) than the fact that fewer people tend to turnout in the seats Labour wins, meaning it uses its votes more efficiently.

The Guardian

On Thursday, when we publish the plan, it will be a clear reminder that we're aiming to meet these priorities through high-quality work, delivered efficiently by a profession that is adopting the principles set out in the civil service reform plan.

The Guardian

A social outcomes-based spending review could reimagine public service delivery and demonstrate to the taxpayer that their money is being used efficiently.

The Guardian

"The mind wanders when doing essays, but if you develop a focus and know you have to use your time efficiently then it's a very transferable skill," says Baddeley.

The Guardian

On the other, they must ensure that service providers are financially viable and that water resources are used efficiently.

The Guardian

With the pressure and stress of having so much to do, avoiding procrastination and getting work done efficiently can be more difficult than it seems.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and impact, use "efficiently" to underscore not just effectiveness, but also the smart allocation of resources. For instance, specify what is being managed "efficiently": "manage time efficiently" or "allocate resources efficiently".

Common error

Avoid using "efficiently" when you actually mean "effectively". "Effectively" emphasizes achieving the desired outcome, while "efficiently" focuses on achieving the outcome with minimal wasted effort or resources. You might run a meeting "effectively" by keeping it on track, but run it "efficiently" by also minimizing its duration and resource use.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "efficiently" primarily functions to modify verbs, describing how an action is performed with minimal waste of resources or effort. As Ludwig AI states, it indicates the effectiveness and productivity of a process. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate this function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "efficiently" is an adverb used to describe the manner in which an action is performed, emphasizing the minimization of wasted resources and effort. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is "very common" in News & Media, Formal & Business and Scientific contexts, and it's best practice is to be clear on what is being managed "efficiently". A common error is confusing it with "effectively", which focuses solely on achieving the desired outcome. Ludwig's examples showcase its versatile use in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

effectively

Focuses on achieving the desired result, not necessarily on minimizing waste.

productively

Emphasizes the rate of output or accomplishment.

expeditiously

Highlights speed and promptness in completing a task.

competently

Stresses the skill and ability to perform a task well.

successfully

Focuses on the positive outcome of an action.

profitably

Emphasizes the financial gain from an activity.

in a streamlined manner

Highlights the absence of obstacles or wasted effort.

with minimal waste

Directly addresses the reduction of wasted resources or time.

in a time-saving way

Emphasizes the conservation of time.

resourcefully

Highlights the ability to find clever ways to overcome difficulties.

FAQs

How can I use "efficiently" in a sentence?

Use "efficiently" to describe how something is done with minimal wasted resources or effort. For example, "The team worked "efficiently" to meet the deadline" or "The new system processes data more "efficiently"".

What's the difference between "effectively" and "efficiently"?

"Effectively" means achieving the desired result, while "efficiently" means achieving the result with minimal waste of resources like time, money, or effort. You can do something "effectively" without it being "efficiently", and vice versa.

What are some synonyms for "efficiently"?

Alternatives to "efficiently" include "effectively", "productively", "expeditiously", and "competently". The best choice depends on the specific context and what aspect of efficiency you want to emphasize.

Is it correct to say something is "efficiently done"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. However, consider rephrasing for clarity. Instead of "The task was "efficiently done"", try "The task was done "efficiently"" or "The team completed the task "efficiently"" for smoother phrasing.