far from productive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far from productive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, activity, or effort that is not yielding positive results or outcomes. Example: "After reviewing the team's progress, it was clear that our current approach was far from productive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Those quarrels often play out one tweet at a time and are far from productive.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Finally, even if the current pace is maintained, it's still inadequate for an economy still so far from its productive potential.

The Economist

Wheat, the grain primarily used in English bread, was almost impossible to grow in the North, and imports of wheat were far from cost productive.

Wikipedia

Today, I see only open water because the pack ice has retreated hundreds of miles from the coast -- far from the productive, near-shore hunting grounds that polar bears prefer.

Huffington Post

SOME argue that longer work hours, far from making Europe more productive, would bring it ruin.

The New York Times

That said, Dikeman says solar manufacturing is far from as efficient and productive as it should be: If Spinter's team can figure out how to improve it, it can reap the rewards.

Forbes

However, over the last few decades traditional drug discovery pipelines from natural products have become far less productive and far more expensive.

Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews

Most of us would benefit far more from robust growth that stems from productive industries like energy, fiber, food, logistics and manufacturing.

Forbes

The forces of capitalism, while often productive, are far from benign, especially at the top.

The New Yorker

Gatekeeper, which opened the show, also hailing from Chicago, had a far more productive, and convincing, approach to the dark: pummel through it.

The New York Times - Arts

One former Yahoo worker commenting at AllThingsD said that working from home made them far more productive than being in the office: "Why?

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "far from productive", ensure the context clearly establishes what the expected or desired level of productivity should be. This provides a stronger contrast and makes the statement more impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "far from productive" when a stronger, more direct term like "unproductive" or "ineffective" would be more appropriate. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact; reserve it for situations where the lack of productivity is surprisingly or significantly below expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far from productive" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. It describes something that fails to achieve a satisfactory level of output or effectiveness, indicating a deficiency in generating results. Ludwig AI confirms this by showcasing examples where it modifies activities or situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "far from productive" effectively conveys a lack of desired results or output. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It's often employed to express disappointment or highlight the gap between expected and actual productivity. While synonyms like "unproductive" exist, "far from productive" adds emphasis on the surprising or disappointing aspect of the situation. As Ludwig's examples show, it is utilized across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic sources, maintaining a neutral register appropriate for diverse audiences. When deploying this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes expected productivity for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unproductive

A direct synonym indicating a lack of productivity.

not at all productive

Emphasizes the complete absence of productivity.

anything but productive

Highlights the contrast between expectation and reality.

nowhere near productive

Indicates a significant distance from being productive.

not even remotely productive

Stresses the impossibility of being productive.

hardly productive

Suggests a minimal level of productivity.

not particularly productive

Downplays the level of productivity.

ineffective

Focuses on the lack of desired results.

fruitless

Implies a lack of positive outcomes or accomplishments.

futile

Highlights the pointlessness of the effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "far from productive" to describe situations or actions that are not yielding the desired results. For example, "The meeting was "far from productive", as no decisions were made."

What are some alternatives to saying "far from productive"?

Alternatives include "unproductive", "ineffective", "fruitless", or "futile", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "unproductive" or "far from productive"?

Both are correct, but "far from productive" often implies a surprising or disappointing lack of productivity, whereas "unproductive" is a more general term.

What does "far from productive" emphasize that "unproductive" might not?

"Far from productive" highlights the discrepancy between an expected level of productivity and the actual output, suggesting the situation is worse than simply "unproductive".