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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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it's not very effective

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"It's not very effective". California's five-member Board of Equalization is the only elected tax commission in the nation.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

But it's not very effective at any of these.

"You can wear a breast plate, but it's not very effective to punch someone on the breast.

News & Media

The New York Times

It's not very effective, with walls simply shifting migrants elsewhere, and often forces them into the hands of smugglers.

This type of pushback may be fun, as Treacher said, but it's not very effective, and anyone who thinks otherwise is missing the point.

News & Media

The New Yorker

"It's an industry that is very skilled at talking about the factors that produce a result," he said, "but it's not very effective.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

When it was used by Spain during its housing bubble, it was not very effective.

News & Media

The New York Times

For instance, acetone is suitable in solubilizing chemical impurities, due to its polar characteristics, and it's easy to be removed, due to its low boiling point, but it is not very effective with microbiological impurities, and ethanol, isopropyl alcohol or a mixture of the above solvents might be preferable.

But it is not very effective.

It is not very effective if they are subjected to dangerous buses that they may be riding on".

News & Media

The New York Times

"It is suitable for mild to moderate erectile dysfunction - that is about 80% of GP patients," says Dean. "It is not very effective for chronic sufferers, for men who never ever get an erection".

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer the full form 'it is not very effective' in formal academic or scientific writing to maintain a professional tone.

Common error

Writers often use "it's not very effective" when they actually mean it is slow or wasteful. If the goal is reached but costs too much, consider using "it's not very efficient" instead.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

92%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

This phrase serves as a negative predicative adjective structure. According to Ludwig, it functions to qualify a subject (represented by 'it') by denying a high degree of its effectiveness. The use of the adverb 'very' acts as a hedge, providing a more nuanced evaluation than a simple 'not effective'.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

32%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it's not very effective" is a versatile and essential tool in the English language for providing measured feedback. Ludwig AI shows that it is a 'Common' expression favored by high-authority sources like The New York Times and The Guardian to describe failures in policy, medicine, and technology. It strikes a balance between being clear and being nuanced, making it a safe choice for both professional journalism and scientific discussion. While it is grammatically correct and widely accepted, writers should be mindful of the contraction in strictly formal settings and consider more specific alternatives like "underperforms" or "inefficient" when technical precision is required.

FAQs

How to use "it's not very effective" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a strategy, tool, or medicine that fails to reach its goal, such as: 'The new policy was implemented last month, but "it's not very effective" in reducing traffic.'

What is the difference between "it's not very effective" and "it's ineffective"?

While "it's ineffective" is a binary statement meaning it does not work at all, "it's not very effective" allows for the possibility that it works slightly but fails to meet the desired standard.

Is "it's not very effective" formal enough for a report?

It is acceptable for news reports and business summaries, but for high-level academic journals, you should use the non-contracted form "it is not very effective" or a more precise verb like "it underperforms".

What can I say instead of "it's not very effective"?

Depending on the context, you can use "it's not working", "it lacks impact", or "it is fruitless".

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Source & Trust

92%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: