ineffectual measure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ineffectual measure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strategy or action that fails to produce the desired effect or result. Example: "The government's decision to increase taxes was seen as an ineffectual measure to boost the economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Local initiatives are crucial to curbing greenhouse gas emissions, but national and international commitments are not the ineffectual measures he makes them out to be.

The New York Times

This practice has left black communities trapped in poverty while white politicians pat themselves on the back for taking ineffectual half-measures whose main virtue is their acceptability to white constituents.

The Washington Post

Kristol calls the Manchin/Heitkamp bill an "ineffectual but facesaving" measure.

Huffington Post

This is also an ineffectual but facesaving measure, but it's one where planes go ZOOM and bombs go BOOM, so it's better.

Huffington Post

The measure was ineffectual, however, and on September 7 the federal government essentially nationalized both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which together owned or guaranteed half of the country's $12 trillion mortgage market.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Of additional concern is the possibility that the virus may become endemic if case numbers were to rise to a point at which vector control measures became ineffectual at controlling virus spread.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

"After a painful and, for many, inexplicable delay, the administration is finally shifting from an ineffectual series of ad-hoc measures to a comprehensive program that targets key impediments to job creation," commented Mohamed El-Erian, the chief executive of the world's biggest bond manager, Pimco.

The New York Times

U.S. drone strikes have become commonplace in Yemen, where government measures have proven ineffectual against what is considered one of the most virulent Al Qaeda offshoots in the region.

Los Angeles Times

Parliament also passed several laws aimed at combatting corruption, including the Corrupt Practices Act 1854, though these measures proved largely ineffectual.

Wikipedia

After a painful and, for many, inexplicable delay, the Administration is finally shifting from an ineffectual series of ad hoc measures to a comprehensive program that targets key impediments to job creation.

Huffington Post

The INLD government, however, was ineffectual, in spite of the token measures it initiated to improve the lot of the farmers, better utilize water resources for farming purposes, establish institutions of higher education (notably Chaudhary Devi Lal University; founded 2003), and develop infrastructure.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "ineffectual measure", ensure the context clearly explains why the measure is failing to achieve its intended goal. Provide specific reasons or evidence to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "ineffectual measure" as a blanket statement without providing concrete evidence or reasoning. Instead, offer specific details about the measure's shortcomings to strengthen your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ineffectual measure" functions as a descriptive term, characterizing a particular action or policy as failing to achieve its intended purpose. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ineffectual measure" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term to denote actions or strategies that fail to produce the desired outcome. According to Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedic entries, and scientific discussions. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to provide specific evidence or reasoning to substantiate the claim that the measure is indeed failing. Common alternatives include "ineffective step", "futile action", and "fruitless attempt".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ineffective step

Replaces "measure" with "step", slightly altering the connotation from a formal action to a more general action.

futile action

Emphasizes the pointlessness of the action, suggesting a higher degree of failure.

fruitless attempt

Highlights the lack of positive results from the effort.

unproductive approach

Focuses on the method being used and its inability to yield desired outcomes.

abortive effort

Suggests the effort was cut short or failed to fully develop.

vain endeavor

Implies a sense of pride or ego attached to the unsuccessful attempt.

useless strategy

Replaces "measure" with "strategy", shifting the focus to a planned method.

unavailing tactic

Suggests a specific maneuver or technique that proves unsuccessful.

worthless solution

Focuses on the inadequacy of the proposed remedy.

pointless exercise

Highlights the lack of purpose or value in the activity.

FAQs

How can I use "ineffectual measure" in a sentence?

You can use "ineffectual measure" to describe an action or strategy that is not producing the desired result. For example, "The government's attempt to reduce inflation through this "economic policy" proved to be an ineffectual measure".

What are some alternatives to "ineffectual measure"?

Some alternatives include "ineffective step", "futile action", or "fruitless attempt". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "ineffectual measure" a formal or informal phrase?

"Ineffectual measure" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the communication.

What makes a measure "ineffectual"?

A measure is considered "ineffectual" when it fails to produce the intended outcome or has a negligible impact. This can be due to poor design, inadequate resources, unforeseen circumstances, or other factors.