more or less effective

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more or less effective" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is somewhat effective, but not entirely so, often in a comparative context. Example: "The new marketing strategy is more or less effective than the previous one, but we still need to make some adjustments."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're more or less effective.

The Guardian - Books

Has the U.S. become more or less effective over time?

Stanford University

"In truth [it] functioned as a more or less effective legislative machine".

The Guardian

You can set circumstances so as to make the reinforcers more or less effective.

Yale University

Additional large data feeds can be used to characterize program components that are more or less effective.

Harvard Business Review

Some of these try to identify certain recurring behavior patterns considered more or less effective in a leadership context.

Harvard Business Review

Coatings deposited by different surface processes are more or less effective to improve fatigue life of diverse elements.

International Journal of Fatigue

They also do not appear more or less effective in influencing test return depending on deprivation level.

Social Science & Medicine

Heating the huge volumes of air involved may be more or less effective depending on the HVAC system used.

Energy and Buildings

"He'll be no more or less effective as a lobbyist than he was before, regardless of the pardon business".

The New York Times

It is safe to say that those treatments were no more or less effective than the Brooklyn baptism.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two methods or strategies, use "more or less effective" to indicate their relative impact, suggesting that neither is perfectly effective but one might be superior. For example: "This approach is "more or less effective" than the previous one, depending on the context."

Common error

Refrain from using "more or less effective" when a clear determination of effectiveness can be made. If a method is definitively effective or ineffective, a more direct statement will improve clarity and impact. If something is working well just say it is effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more or less effective" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun, describing the degree to which something achieves its intended purpose. It indicates that something is not entirely effective, but it isn't completely ineffective either. This is supported by Ludwig AI analysis and the diverse examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

27%

News & Media

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "more or less effective" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for describing varying degrees of efficacy. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. The examples show the versatility of this phrase across diverse fields from scientific research to everyday media. When precision is necessary, consider replacing it with alternatives such as "somewhat effective" or "moderately effective". However, as a versatile phrase that works well across diverse contexts, it serves as an excellent way to communicate the idea that something has a tangible effect without being completely effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat effective

Emphasizes a moderate level of effectiveness, implying it's not entirely effective but has some positive impact.

partially effective

Highlights that the effectiveness is incomplete or limited in scope.

moderately effective

Suggests a balanced level of effectiveness, neither highly successful nor completely unsuccessful.

reasonably effective

Indicates an acceptable level of effectiveness that meets expectations without being exceptional.

to some extent effective

Focuses on acknowledging a degree of effectiveness, though potentially minor.

marginally effective

Implies minimal effectiveness, barely making a noticeable difference.

not entirely ineffective

A double negative emphasizing that it has some positive results, although possibly not great.

effective to a degree

Similar to 'to some extent effective', highlighting that effectiveness exists but with limits.

capable to a certain degree

Focuses on the capability to achieve results, but only to a specific limit.

effective within limits

Indicates the action works, but has a limited range in effectiveness.

FAQs

How can I use "more or less effective" in a sentence?

Use "more or less effective" to compare the relative effectiveness of two or more things. For example: "Centralizing regulation is "more or less effective" than having a fragmented regulation system."

What are some alternatives to saying "more or less effective"?

You can use phrases like "somewhat effective", "partially effective", or "moderately effective" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to use "more or less effective", or should I use a different phrase?

"More or less effective" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. Its appropriateness depends on the context and the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What is the difference between "more or less effective" and "equally effective"?

"More or less effective" implies a slight difference in effectiveness, while "equally effective" suggests that two or more things have the same level of effectiveness. For example: "There is no evidence that chlorambucil was "more or less effective" than observation" versus "cisplatin and carboplatin are equally effective."