ineffectually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ineffectually" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions that are not producing the desired effect or result. Example: "Despite their efforts to resolve the issue, they worked ineffectually, leaving the problem unresolved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Given that Clegg had spent two years ineffectually manoeuvring to ditch his own policy in favour of something more realistic, the puzzle is why he let himself be cornered into endorsing the anti-fees pledge in the election, complete with "read my lips" photos.

The Guardian - Opinion

WILL the initial burst of outrage start a chain reaction, or will it fizzle out ineffectually, as it has after so many other Japanese business scandals?

The Economist

The most we can do is recognise what the threat to freedom looks like today, impose sanctions, offer asylum to political refugees and make it perfectly clear where we stand, however ineffectually.

The Economist

Nothing is ironed, and there is a faint stain on the skirt that is yesterday's lunchtime soup ineffectually rubbed off with a Kleenex.The very important woman glances at you, from the feet upwards.

The Economist

AS A policeman ineffectually sledgehammered the windows of a hijacked bus, in a desperate effort to reach 15 hostages trapped inside, it became sickeningly clear that a rescue operation had gone dreadfully wrong.

The Economist

Someone, after all, will have to make those painful decisions New Yorkers go on ineffectually talking about.

The Economist

Some officers used their batons while others resorted, bravely but ineffectually, to wielding fire extinguishers which they found at the scene.

The Economist

He merely and ineffectually, British Eurosceptics will say dangled that possibility: saying that "all options are open".As an exercise in attempting to meet the impossibly high expectations he had himself raised on this issue, Mr Cameron can consider his speech a success.

The Economist

Among other things, its language urges Sri Lanka to implement the recommendations of a presidential commission that tried, ineffectually, to unravel the confusion of the war's final stages.The conclusions of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) are widely regarded as being inadequate, when it comes to the task of fact-finding.

The Economist

The Liberals, led ineffectually in the 2008 and 2011 elections, have a new, popular leader in Mr Trudeau, son of the late Pierre Trudeau, who was Canada's prime minister for 15 years.

The Economist

It nibbles at problems, sometimes usefully, more often ineffectually.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ineffectually" when you want to emphasize not just the failure of an action, but the manner in which it was carried out. This adverb is particularly useful when describing attempts that were clearly insufficient or poorly executed.

Common error

While both adverbs describe a lack of desired result, "ineffectually" focuses on the manner of the attempt (e.g., a weak punch thrown "ineffectually"), whereas "ineffectively" focuses on the result of the attempt (e.g., a medicine used "ineffectively").

Linguistic Context

The adverb "ineffectually" modifies verbs, describing the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that the action is carried out in a way that fails to achieve the intended or desired result. Ludwig confirms this is a valid and correct use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

14%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ineffectually" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverb that describes the manner of an action, emphasizing its failure to achieve the desired result due to a lack of skill or effort. Ludwig’s analysis indicates it is most common in news and media and encyclopedia sources. While synonyms like "unsuccessfully" or "ineffectively" exist, "ineffectually" uniquely focuses on the inadequate way in which the action was carried out. The key is to use "ineffectually" when you want to draw attention to the poor execution of an attempt rather than simply stating its failure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsuccessfully

Indicates a lack of success or a failure to achieve a desired outcome; focuses more on the outcome than the manner of action.

ineffectively

Describes actions lacking the power or ability to produce the desired effect; emphasizes the method's inadequacy.

to no avail

Highlights the futility of an effort, often after repeated attempts; more emphatic than "ineffectually".

in vain

Similar to "to no avail", suggesting that efforts were fruitless or without result.

fruitlessly

Emphasizes the lack of positive results from an action or endeavor.

powerlessly

Indicates a lack of strength or authority to achieve something; highlights a sense of helplessness.

feebly

Suggests a weak or inadequate effort, often due to a lack of strength or resources.

abortively

Describes something that is terminated prematurely or fails to fully develop.

unproductively

Highlights the lack of output or useful results from an activity.

without success

A straightforward way of saying something did not work out; less descriptive of the manner of failure.

FAQs

How can I use "ineffectually" in a sentence?

You can use "ineffectually" to describe an action that is performed without achieving the desired result, emphasizing the manner in which the action was carried out. For example: "He tried to fix the car, but only tinkered "ineffectually"".

What's a synonym for "ineffectually"?

Synonyms for "ineffectually" include "unsuccessfully", "ineffectively", and "in vain". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "ineffectually" and "ineffectively"?

"Ineffectually" describes the manner in which something is done, implying a lack of skill or effort. "Ineffectively", on the other hand, focuses on the result, meaning the action failed to produce the intended outcome regardless of the effort put in.

Is it better to use "ineffectually" or "unsuccessfully"?

It depends on the context. Use "ineffectually" when you want to highlight the inadequate way in which an action was performed. Use "unsuccessfully" when the focus is simply on the failure to achieve a desired outcome, without commenting on the performance itself.