far from efficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far from efficient" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not effective or productive, often in a critical context. Example: "The current system is far from efficient, leading to delays and increased costs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

But the system was far from efficient.

The New York Times

The engineering was far from efficient, and these systems suffered from high frictional losses.

The New Yorker

This rule is deficient And far from efficient So my advice is to forget about stupid mnemonics and just use spellcheck like everyone else.

The New York Times

Tobin, who died in 2002, wanted to "throw some sand in the wheels" of the markets, and his idea, endorsed by Joseph Stiglitz and Lawrence H. Summers among others, is based on an increasingly held belief that markets are far from efficient.

The New York Times

The technique is far from efficient.

Science Magazine

Situations like this one prove that the stock market is far from efficient.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

But wiring remittances is a far-from-efficient process, as anyone queuing up outside, say, a Western Union or Moneygram will tell you.

The Guardian

Third, it is quite impossible for an inefficient DMU to achieve its target's efficiency in a single step, especially when the inefficient DMU is far from the efficient frontier.

Expert Systems with Applications

Financial markets, far from being efficient, as most economists and policymakers at the time believed, were grossly inefficient.

The New Yorker

Sport utility vehicles, which are far from fuel efficient, now make up 17percentt of total sales of cars and light trucks, up from under 2percentt in 1980.

The New York Times

Our results show that such a solution is far from being efficient on ad hoc networks.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "far from efficient" to critique systems, processes, or methods that fail to optimize resources or time effectively. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "far from efficient" when you intend to convey slight inefficiency. This phrase implies a significant deficiency, not a minor one. Consider "somewhat inefficient" or "not very efficient" for milder cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far from efficient" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a lack of efficiency. Ludwig AI shows that it's used to describe systems, processes, or methods that are not operating effectively.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "far from efficient" is a grammatically sound and widely accepted way to express a significant lack of efficiency. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific discussions. While "far from efficient" isn't the most frequent phrase, its impact lies in its emphasis on inadequacy, and therefore should be used only when a serious deficiency needs to be reported. Remember to consider alternatives like "highly inefficient" or "suboptimal" for nuanced meanings, or "wasteful" when referring to resource use. Its neutral register makes it a versatile choice, provided the context warrants its critical tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not at all efficient

Direct negation of efficiency.

anything but efficient

Expresses the opposite of efficiency.

highly inefficient

Emphasizes a strong degree of inefficiency.

nowhere near efficient

Indicates a significant gap from being efficient.

rather inefficient

Implies a noticeable degree of inefficiency.

less than efficient

States that something is below the standard of efficiency.

not particularly efficient

Suggests a mild lack of efficiency.

suboptimal

Indicates performance that is below the best possible.

wasteful

Highlights the inefficient use of resources.

unproductive

Focuses on the lack of output or results.

FAQs

How can I use "far from efficient" in a sentence?

You can use "far from efficient" to describe anything that is not operating in an economical or productive manner. For example, "The current workflow is "far from efficient", leading to unnecessary delays."

What are some alternatives to "far from efficient"?

Alternatives include "highly inefficient", "not at all efficient", or "suboptimal". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "far from efficient"?

Yes, "far from efficient" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English to express that something is not efficient.

What's the difference between "inefficient" and "far from efficient"?

"Inefficient" simply means not efficient. "Far from efficient" emphasizes a significant lack of efficiency, suggesting a greater degree of inadequacy. For example, calling something "inefficient" might suggest a minor issue, while saying it's "far from efficient" indicates a major problem.