has been ineffective

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been ineffective" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or action that has not produced the desired results over a period of time. Example: "The new marketing strategy has been ineffective in increasing sales, prompting the team to reconsider their approach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The running game has been ineffective, too.

The New York Times - Sports

Iona has been ineffective on all fronts lately.

The New York Times - Sports

Also, Todd Blackledge has been ineffective at quarterback.

The New York Times - Sports

A recent anti-terror campaign has been ineffective.

The Economist

But the police say the carrier database has been ineffective.

The New York Times

Ahmad Bradshaw has been ineffective behind a patchwork offensive line.

The New York Times - Sports

Also, much ire has been directed at Moussa Sissoko, who has been ineffective far too often.

The Guardian - Sport

But few critics try to argue that Mr. Bush has been ineffective or unpopular.

The New York Times

Indeed casual evidence suggests that QE has been ineffective in increasing inflation".

The Guardian - Business

White was released by Houston earlier this season and has been ineffective for each team.

The New York Times

But union leaders say the board has been ineffective in addressing complaints filed by workers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been ineffective", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific goal or outcome was not achieved. Provide specific examples or evidence to support your claim of ineffectiveness.

Common error

Avoid stating that something "has been ineffective" without specifying the scope or context. Instead of saying, "The policy has been ineffective", clarify what aspects of the policy have failed and in what areas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been ineffective" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of a subject as not producing the desired or intended effect. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, showcasing examples where it assesses the failure of something to achieve its intended purpose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been ineffective" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe something that has failed to produce the desired result. Ludwig AI analysis of numerous sources confirms its versatile application across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal writing. While semantically similar alternatives like "has proven unsuccessful" or "has failed to deliver" exist, it's crucial to provide specific context and evidence when using this phrase to avoid overgeneralization. By considering the nuances of its usage, writers can effectively convey the inefficacy of a particular action or strategy. Remember to be clear about what specific goal was not achieved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been ineffectual

Similar to ineffective, but can imply a weaker degree of impact.

has proven unsuccessful

Emphasizes the lack of success after a period of trying.

has not achieved its purpose

Directly states that the intended goal was not met.

has failed to deliver

Highlights the failure to achieve expected results or promises.

has not been fruitful

Focuses on the absence of positive outcomes or benefits.

has been of no avail

Suggests that efforts were made but ultimately useless.

has been unproductive

Indicates a lack of output or progress.

has been without result

Emphasizes the lack of any tangible outcome.

has been deficient

Focuses on lacking necessary qualities or elements.

has not worked

A simple and direct way to express ineffectiveness.

FAQs

How can I use "has been ineffective" in a sentence?

You can use "has been ineffective" to describe a strategy, method, or tool that has not produced the desired results. For example, "The new marketing campaign "has been ineffective" in increasing sales."

What are some alternatives to "has been ineffective"?

Alternatives include "has proven unsuccessful", "has failed to deliver", or "has not been fruitful", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "has been ineffective" or "was ineffective"?

The choice depends on the time frame. "Was ineffective" refers to a specific point in the past, while "has been ineffective" suggests a continued state up to the present. For example, "The treatment was ineffective during the trial period" versus "The treatment "has been ineffective" over the long term."

What's the difference between "has been ineffective" and "has been inefficient"?

"Has been ineffective" means something didn't achieve its goal. "Has been inefficient" means something achieved its goal, but with wasted resources or time. For example, a diet "has been ineffective" if you didn't lose weight. A process "has been inefficient" if it took too long to complete.