socially inefficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "socially inefficient" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, policy, or action that does not maximize social welfare or leads to suboptimal outcomes for society as a whole. Example: "The current transportation system is socially inefficient, leading to increased traffic congestion and pollution."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

It's also socially inefficient.

The New Yorker

Second, during periods of high uncertainty and the potential for runs, large or coordinated shortsellers are more likely to succeed in triggering socially inefficient panic-selling.

The Economist

According to Joe Grundfest, a former SEC commissioner, the audit industry has several incentives to "push Section 404 compliance to a point of socially inefficient hyper-vigilance".

The Economist

If we learned anything from the global financial crisis it should have been that throwing good money after bad and assuming private enterprises will behave responsibly with that money is socially inefficient and condones the poor performance discussed above.

The Guardian - Opinion

These education decisions are socially inefficient.

Research in Economics

Such a situation is socially inefficient as compared to the perfect information case.

Research Policy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Even to many Londoners, blessed with the world's pre-eminent public transit system, the ponderous bus is an emblem of all that is slow, inefficient, socially stigmatised and retrograde in city life – more a thing of the past than the bold urban future.

The Guardian

Not so long ago the World Bank pooh-poohed spending on higher education as both economically inefficient and socially regressive.

The Economist

He believed that agricultural capitalism was but an extreme variant of all free-market systems -- inherently unstable, and thus inefficient and socially dangerous.

The New York Times - Books

Grossly inefficient and socially regressive fuel subsidies could be cut, and the resources spent on extending credit to SMEs, investing in infrastructure, and broadening social services in order to reduce poverty and inequality -- which in contrast to most South American countries, have barely budged over the past decade.

Huffington Post

These distinctions are critical because organic monocultures farmed on big plantations can be just as resource-inefficient and socially destructive as conventionally-farmed plantations.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing policies or systems, use "socially inefficient" to pinpoint specific areas where resources are being wasted or misallocated, leading to reduced overall social welfare.

Common error

Avoid using "socially inefficient" as a generic criticism without specifying how a situation is inefficient. Always provide context on what resources are being mismanaged or what specific social outcomes are being negatively affected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "socially inefficient" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is not operating in a way that maximizes social welfare or benefit. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing various scenarios, from education decisions to payment schemes, deeming them as not optimally beneficial for society.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "socially inefficient" is a phrase used to describe situations, policies, or actions that do not maximize social welfare or lead to suboptimal outcomes for society. As Ludwig AI states, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is commonly found in academic, scientific, and news media contexts, indicating a formal and analytical tone. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide specific context on how resources are being mismanaged or what social outcomes are negatively affected, as overuse in vague contexts can reduce its impact. Ludwig examples showcase its application across diverse scenarios, from education to ecosystem services. Alternatives like "socially wasteful" or "socially unproductive" can be used depending on the specific nuance intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

socially wasteful

Replaces "inefficient" with "wasteful", emphasizing the squandering of resources from a societal perspective.

socially unproductive

Focuses on the lack of positive output or benefit for society.

economically inefficient for society

Explicitly links the inefficiency to economic outcomes affecting society.

suboptimal social allocation

Highlights that resources are not being allocated in the best way for social welfare.

misallocation of social resources

Emphasizes that social resources are being incorrectly distributed or used.

detrimental to social welfare

Shifts the focus to the negative impact on the overall well-being of society.

counterproductive for society

Highlights that the action or policy achieves the opposite of its intended social goal.

socially detrimental

Uses "detrimental" to convey harm or damage to society.

impeding social progress

Focuses on the obstruction of advancements or improvements in social conditions.

inefficient from a societal standpoint

Specifies that the inefficiency is being evaluated from the perspective of society as a whole.

FAQs

How can I use "socially inefficient" in a sentence?

You can use "socially inefficient" to describe systems or policies that lead to suboptimal outcomes for society. For example, "The current transportation system is "socially inefficient", leading to increased traffic congestion and pollution."

What's the difference between "socially inefficient" and "socially wasteful"?

"Socially inefficient" implies that resources are not being used optimally, while "socially wasteful" suggests resources are being squandered or used in a careless manner. The former focuses on optimization, the latter on unnecessary expenditure.

What are some synonyms for "socially inefficient"?

Alternatives include "socially wasteful", "socially unproductive", or "economically inefficient for society", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to describe something as "socially inefficient"?

It is appropriate when analyzing the impact of a policy, system, or behavior on overall societal welfare, particularly when highlighting the misallocation or underutilization of resources that could otherwise improve social outcomes. For instance, one can argue that "privatization of academic research" represents a "socially inefficient" trend.