is not effective

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not effective" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not successful or having the desired effect. For example, "The new marketing strategy is not effective and the company isn't seeing the expected results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This top-down approach is not effective.

The New York Times

It looks like their system is not effective".

The Guardian

Why do you think it is or is not effective?

The New York Times

"For the most part, it is not effective enough.

The New York Times

"If this program is not effective it has to end.

The New York Times

The excess demand for commodities is not effective.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Parts are not coherent and overall it is not effective.

The New York Times

"An under-resourced department is not effective in fighting crime".

The New York Times

The way we are now treating the current situation is not effective.

The Guardian

He is not effective because he is basically leading a very divided SEC.

The Guardian - Business

This policy is not effective and ultimately makes Americans feel marginalized in our own country.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is not effective", clearly state why something lacks effectiveness, providing specific reasons or evidence to support your claim. For example, "The new policy is not effective because it fails to address the root cause of the problem."

Common error

Avoid stating that something "is not effective" without providing context or specific examples. Vague statements lack credibility. Instead, specify the area or situation where effectiveness is lacking. For example, instead of saying "The training program is not effective", specify "The training program is not effective in improving employee retention rates."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not effective" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a subject's lack of ability to produce a desired result or outcome. Ludwig examples confirm its descriptive role in assessing the performance or impact of various entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is not effective" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a lack of desired outcome or success. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and descriptive function. It's crucial to provide context and specific reasons when using this phrase to avoid vagueness and enhance clarity. While alternatives exist, such as "proves ineffective" or "lacks efficacy", the phrase remains a straightforward and widely understood way to express ineffectiveness across various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proves ineffective

Replaces "is not" with "proves", emphasizing a demonstrated lack of effectiveness.

lacks efficacy

Substitutes "effective" with "efficacy", a more formal term for effectiveness.

fails to deliver results

Focuses on the absence of expected outcomes, using a more descriptive verb phrase.

is unproductive

Replaces "effective" with "productive", highlighting the lack of output or progress.

does not work well

Uses simpler vocabulary to convey the idea of something not functioning as intended.

is without impact

Highlights the absence of influence or effect.

is not efficient

Shifts the focus to the lack of efficiency rather than overall effectiveness.

is unsuccessful

Uses a general term for failure to achieve a desired outcome.

has no effect

Emphasizes the complete absence of any impact or result.

is a waste of time

Indicates that the effort put into something does not yield worthwhile results.

FAQs

What are some alternative ways to say "is not effective"?

You can use alternatives like "proves ineffective", "lacks efficacy", or "fails to deliver results" depending on the context.

How can I make my writing clearer when using the phrase "is not effective"?

To improve clarity, specify why something "is not effective". Provide concrete examples or reasons to support your statement. For instance, instead of saying "The campaign is not effective", explain "The campaign is not effective because it doesn't reach the target audience".

What is the difference between saying something "is not effective" and saying it "is inefficient"?

Saying something "is not effective" means it doesn't produce the desired result. Saying it "is not efficient" focuses on the resources (time, money, effort) used relative to the outcome. Something can be effective but inefficient, and vice versa.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the phrase "is not effective"?

The phrase "is not effective" is appropriate in various formal contexts, such as when evaluating strategies, policies, or programs. It's also suitable for academic writing, business reports, and news articles when discussing the outcomes of specific actions or interventions. It can be used in neutral, professional, and formal and scientific registers.