expediency

USAGE SUMMARY

'expediency' is a correct and commonly used word in written English.
It is used to describe the quality of being convenient or doing things in a way that saves time and effort; or the quality of being suitable for a particular purpose. For example: "The mayor chose to prioritize an expediency of results over an adherence to the rules and regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Queen's speech was an exercise in political expediency.

The Guardian - Opinion

They felt history was being rewritten and the name of the RUC was being sacrificed for political expediency and were keen to give their account.

The Guardian

There were good reasons that 10 years ago the Labour government decided to invite Polish labour into the country earlier than it needed to, a decision from which they have disgracefully stepped back now for reasons of political expediency.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I don't know if you took any one of those issues and went back and looked at her statements – take gay marriage out of the equation for the moment – and said, 'OK, this goes against sort of her actual core set of values, and this is only political expediency' – I don't think that's a fair assessment," Walter said.

The Guardian

And frankly to just do it for political expediency stinks".

The Guardian

When money and political expediency are prioritised over the nobler values that glue us together as human beings, it raises much deeper questions about the kind of society we have built.

The Guardian - Opinion

But when that recognition is withheld, whether because of a technicality or political expediency, it can feel like the final insult.

The Economist

And, despite their anger over Aventis and Alstom, the Germans are going along with the joint industrial policy out of political expediency.

The Economist

This had the effect of shielding Henry Kissinger, a former secretary of state, from having to explain his and America's role in Cambodia's descent into madness.For all these reasons, many Cambodians have been cynical about a court shot through with expediency.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Though he tried many times and in many ways, Mr Paulson has been incapable of articulating a consistent principle beyond expediency which would justify how the bail-out was handled.More recently, the same lack of principle can be seen in the spate of large settlements.

The Economist

At present none of these three possibilities looks likely, at least not in the short run.The presidential candidate, so far undeclared, who has aroused most debate and cautious hope among some of those seeking change is Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a former president who now heads the Expediency Council, an influential mediating body.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expediency", be mindful of the potential negative connotations. Consider whether the action prioritizes efficiency over ethical considerations.

Common error

Avoid using "expediency" when you simply mean efficiency. "Expediency" implies a potential compromise of principles for the sake of convenience, while efficiency focuses solely on optimal performance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "expediency" is as a noun. It typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence, referring to the quality of being expedient or advantageous. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes being convenient or suitable for a particular purpose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expediency" is a noun that describes the quality of being suitable or convenient to achieve a desired result, sometimes at the cost of other values. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage. It's often used in news and formal contexts and should be used with awareness of its potential negative connotations of prioritizing convenience over principle. Related terms include "practicality" and "convenience". Remembering these nuances will aid clear and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

practicality

Focuses more on the usefulness and feasibility of an action.

convenience

Emphasizes ease and accessibility in achieving a goal.

suitability

Highlights the appropriateness of an action for a specific situation.

opportunism

Suggests taking advantage of circumstances, sometimes with a negative connotation.

pragmatism

Emphasizes a practical and realistic approach to situations.

self-interest

Directly highlights acting for one's own advantage, often implying a disregard for others.

advantageousness

Stresses the beneficial nature of a course of action.

usefulness

Emphasizes the quality of being of service or benefit.

efficiency

Highlights the ability to accomplish something with minimum waste of time and effort.

resourcefulness

Focuses on the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties.

FAQs

How is "expediency" commonly used in sentences?

"Expediency" is often used to describe situations where convenience or practicality is prioritized, sometimes at the expense of other considerations. For example, "The decision was made out of political expediency".

What are some alternatives to using "expediency"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "practicality", "convenience", or "opportunism".

Is "expediency" always a negative trait?

Not necessarily. While "expediency" can imply a compromise of principles, it can also refer to making practical decisions in a timely manner. The connotation depends on the context.

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

"Expediency" focuses on achieving a desired outcome quickly and easily, potentially overlooking ethical or moral considerations. "Efficiency", on the other hand, emphasizes achieving the best possible output with minimal waste, without necessarily implying a compromise of values.