inefficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "inefficient" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a process, system, or person that does not work as quickly or effectively as desired. For example, "The inefficient operation of the factory caused a significant reduction in profits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As a further insult, London bristles with two-storey Victorian terraces that are a wildly inefficient use of such coveted space.

The Guardian - Opinion

I think currently the system is inefficient and unsafe".

The Guardian

The report acknowledged that both programmes have benefited many young people in Uganda, especially those from poorer backgrounds, but added that "this achievement has been grossly watered down by the often inadequate, inefficient and ineffective response to inherent challenges".

The Guardian

He denounced the government's current approach to detaining failed asylum seekers as "inefficient, unjust and expensive" and said reform was urgently needed.

The Guardian

John Pavlik, head of PR at the Academy, said that although the organisation had "lit a fire" under the notoriously inefficient US Postal Service - which was responsible for a similar sort of bungle in 1982 - only two of the missing bags had been recovered.

The Guardian - Film

Staying late for no reason other than "making a good impression" isn't helping anyone, and can actually make it look like you're inefficient or struggling with time management.

The Guardian

We all thought we should stop bailing out lame-duck industries and pouring the taxpayer's money into over-manned, overpaid and inefficient nationalised industries.

The Guardian

It means that, rather than welcoming the next wave of costly and inefficient public-private partnerships, I will expect them to perform the same wasteful con tricks at my expense which their predecessors did.

The Guardian

If the green light is on, you're doing OK, but if it goes orange or red, you can start to question what's causing that – is it a really old, inefficient appliance that you should start to think about replacing, or are there just too many things on that you weren't aware of.

The Guardian

"Washington's inefficient, heavy-handed regulations are wreaking havoc on working families across the nation, from stifling small business growth to strangling the agriculture industry".

The Guardian

It is difficult to imagine a similar benign indifference to an inefficient disposal system in the heart of as posh and powerful a residential area as Malabar Hill, even if it remains out of sight within a 54-acre cordon sanitaire.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process as "inefficient", specify the aspect that is lacking efficiency to provide context and clarity. For example, instead of saying "The process is inefficient", say "The process is inefficient due to outdated technology".

Common error

Avoid using "inefficient" as a blanket term without providing specific details. Overgeneralizing makes your writing vague and less impactful. Instead, identify and describe the specific areas where inefficiency occurs.

Linguistic Context

The word "inefficient" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that does not operate at its optimal level, wasting resources or time. As Ludwig AI points out, the term indicates a lack of efficiency in a particular context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

26%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "inefficient" is a versatile term used to describe anything that operates suboptimally, wasting resources or time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. Found predominantly in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, its purpose is often to critique or identify areas for improvement. While synonyms like "wasteful" and "unproductive" offer similar meanings, "inefficient" provides a clear and concise way to highlight areas that need optimization. When using this word, specify the area of inefficiency to enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wasteful

Implies using more resources than necessary, often with a negative connotation regarding squandering.

unproductive

Focuses on the lack of output or results, rather than the process itself.

ineffective

Highlights the inability to achieve the desired outcome, suggesting a failure in purpose.

uneconomical

Emphasizes the financial aspect, indicating a poor return on investment or high costs.

suboptimal

Suggests that the performance is below the best possible level, but not necessarily a complete failure.

poorly designed

Attributes the inefficiency to flaws in the system or structure.

unstreamlined

Highlights the lack of optimization in a process, implying it could be smoother and faster.

unorganized

Focuses on the lack of structure and order, leading to wasted effort and resources.

cumbersome

Describes something that is slow and difficult to handle, often due to its size or complexity.

unresourceful

Implies a lack of ingenuity in using available resources to achieve efficiency.

FAQs

How can I use "inefficient" in a sentence?

You can use "inefficient" to describe something that wastes resources, time, or energy. For example, "The old heating system is very "inefficient" and needs to be replaced".

What are some synonyms for "inefficient"?

Some synonyms for "inefficient" include "wasteful", "unproductive", and "ineffective". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

"Inefficient" describes something that wastes resources while achieving a goal, while "ineffective" describes something that fails to achieve its goal altogether. An "inefficient" process might work but use too much time, whereas an "ineffective" process simply doesn't work.

Is it better to say "not efficient" or "inefficient"?

"Inefficient" is generally preferred because it's more concise and direct. "Not efficient" can be used, but it's often less impactful. Using "inefficient" provides a stronger and clearer statement.