less than efficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than efficient" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a process, method, or system that is not operating at optimal efficiency. Example: "The current workflow is less than efficient, leading to delays in project completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But he said the old way of organizing production was less than efficient.

The New York Times

The business was opaque, less than efficient and closed to outsiders.

The Economist

It can be done, but it is less than efficient and there will usually be some bad feelings involved.

The New York Times

Designers have found, however, that the need for communication between executive and staff, including visual contact, often makes private offices less than efficient.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This violates a typical assumption used in most data hiding schemes and it is quite conceivable that our scheme operates less than efficient in such an extraordinary condition.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

Summize searches are available by clicking on a different view in the Twitter window, but there is no comparable access to FriendFeed's search capability, which also suffers in its native Web client from a less than efficient rollup of conversations containing keywords into 3 or 4 of the initial comments, a link to the bulk in the middle, and then the last 2 or 3 that have come in.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

As the door, Helene Alexopolous in her black wig, was more Anna May Wong than Louise Brooks: less seductive than efficient although a model of clarity.

The New York Times - Arts

The staff at the Damson Dene are often hilarious; but less than 100% efficient.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Unfortunately, countries usually spend less than the efficient levels of spending per unemployed individual.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Ultimately, said MacDonald, SkillPages wants to create nothing less than a more efficient labor market.

TechCrunch

The other uncapped mRNAs were less than 10% as efficient as TlucT.

BMC Biotechnology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process as "less than efficient", follow up with specific examples of how it can be improved for better clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid solely relying on the phrase "less than efficient" without providing concrete details. Clearly articulate the aspects that contribute to the inefficiency to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than efficient" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, often describing a process, system, or method. As confirmed by Ludwig, it indicates a state of reduced effectiveness. It is used to qualify the degree of efficiency, implying it is not optimal.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less than efficient" serves as a useful tool for expressing that something is not performing optimally, as validated by Ludwig. While grammatically sound and appearing across reputable sources like The New York Times and The Economist, it is more common in News & Media and Science contexts. It's crucial to provide specific examples when using "less than efficient" to avoid vagueness and to ensure clarity. Alternatives include "not very efficient" and "suboptimal efficiency", each offering a slightly different shade of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not very efficient

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the same idea.

somewhat inefficient

Adds a degree of nuance, implying a slightly lower level of efficiency.

not particularly efficient

Emphasizes the lack of efficiency to a greater degree.

lacking in efficiency

Directly states the absence of a desired level of efficiency.

suboptimal efficiency

More formal and technical, suggesting a measurable deviation from optimal performance.

relatively inefficient

Compares the efficiency to another benchmark, indicating it's worse in comparison.

imperfectly efficient

Suggests the presence of flaws that reduce the overall efficiency.

deficient in efficiency

Highlights the deficiency or lack of efficiency as a primary attribute.

falls short of optimal efficiency

A more descriptive and emphatic way to state that efficiency is not at its best.

operates below peak efficiency

Specifically focuses on the operational aspect and its deviation from peak performance.

FAQs

How can I use "less than efficient" in a sentence?

You can use "less than efficient" to describe a system, process, or method that isn't operating at its best. For example: "The current workflow is "less than efficient", leading to delays."

What are some alternatives to saying "less than efficient"?

Alternatives include "somewhat inefficient", "not very efficient", or "suboptimal efficiency", depending on the desired level of formality and precision.

Is "less than efficient" grammatically correct?

Yes, "less than efficient" is grammatically correct and commonly used. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and offers contextually relevant examples.

What's the difference between "less than efficient" and "inefficient"?

"Less than efficient" implies a degree of inefficiency that is not necessarily absolute. "Inefficient" suggests a more pronounced lack of efficiency. "Less than efficient" can sometimes be used as a more diplomatic way of saying something is not performing well.