fails to work efficiently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fails to work efficiently" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a system, process, or individual that is not performing at an optimal level. Example: "The current software update fails to work efficiently, causing delays in our workflow."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

While these motions are proven to achieve improvement of identification performance, they traditionally result in solutions that typically fail to work efficiently across multiple spectrums.

Image and Vision Computing

We propose a new admissible efficient portfolio selection model and design an improved particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm because traditional optimization algorithms fail to work efficiently for our proposed problem.

Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications

Not unlike the argument that had been made about health and health care, they claimed that the market failed to work efficiently in relation to tobacco and that governments had therefore to intervene through taxation and other public health measures (for example, Atkinson and Townsend, 1977; Lewit et al, 1981; Leu and Schaub, 1984; Manning et al, 1989; Pekurinen, 1992).

BioSocieties

In order to kill and maim more efficiently, machine guns and tanks were brought into play; but the tanks failed to work, and the Maxim gun had already been deployed in the Boer War in South Africa.

The Economist

But the reforms often fail to work.

The Economist

"Health care providers failed to work together".

The New York Times - Health

In one neglect patient, the illusions consistently failed to work.

Neuropsychologia

This may fail to work properly.

WikiHow

To work efficiently, markets must be liquid.

The Economist

"You just need to work efficiently".

The New York Times - Sports

Because to work efficiently, benefits must, by necessity, be complicated.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "fails to work efficiently", ensure you provide context as to why or how the subject is failing. Specificity strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "fails to work efficiently" as a general complaint. Always provide specific reasons or evidence to support the claim of inefficiency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fails to work efficiently" functions as a descriptor, indicating that a subject (system, process, or entity) is not operating in an optimal or effective manner. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct, which means it serves to express a negative assessment of performance or output.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fails to work efficiently" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to express that something is not operating as effectively as it should be. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. It frequently appears in science and news contexts. When using this phrase, it's best practice to provide specific reasons or evidence to support the claim of inefficiency, avoiding overuse without justification. Consider alternatives like "doesn't operate efficiently" or "is not functioning optimally" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doesn't operate efficiently

Replaces "fails" with a more neutral term, maintaining the core meaning.

is not functioning optimally

Emphasizes that performance is below the ideal level.

is underperforming

Focuses on the shortfall in expected output or results.

is not as effective as it should be

Highlights a lack of effectiveness compared to a desired standard.

lacks efficiency

Simplifies the expression to a direct statement of lacking efficiency.

operates inefficiently

Uses an adverb to describe the manner of operation.

is not up to par

Uses an idiom to indicate substandard performance.

falls short of efficient operation

More formal phrasing emphasizing the failure to reach efficiency.

is not cutting it

An informal expression indicating a failure to meet requirements.

is hamstrung by inefficiencies

Implies that inefficiencies are actively hindering performance.

FAQs

What does "fails to work efficiently" mean?

The phrase "fails to work efficiently" means that something is not operating in the best possible way to achieve its intended outcome. It implies a lack of effectiveness and wasted resources.

How can I use "fails to work efficiently" in a sentence?

You can use "fails to work efficiently" to describe a system, process, or individual that is underperforming. For example: "The new software "fails to work efficiently", causing delays in our workflow."

Which is more appropriate, ""fails to work efficiently"" or "is inefficient"?

Both phrases are appropriate but have slightly different nuances. "Fails to work efficiently" suggests a process or system that once worked but no longer does, while "is inefficient" is a general statement about a constant state.

What can I say instead of ""fails to work efficiently""?

You can use alternatives like "doesn't operate efficiently", "is not functioning optimally", or "is underperforming" depending on the context.