that was efficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was efficient" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a process, action, or method that was effective and accomplished in a timely manner. Example: "The meeting was brief and to the point; that was efficient."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

When has the government ever delivered a product that was efficient, caring and timely?

The New York Times

When Jeffrey Immelt became GE's CEO, in 2001, he inherited a company that was efficient but facing intense competition and falling prices for its top-tier capital goods.

Harvard Business Review

In 1862 they built a crude plant at Heleneborg, Sweden; Alfred, a chemist, was basically responsible for the design of this factory that was efficient and relatively safe considering the state of knowledge of the times.

Britannica

Justice Chan's ruling, made public on Tuesday, hinged on the question of whether the city had broken its obligation to recycle the used containers, as long as it could do so in a way that was efficient and environmentally effective.

The New York Times

My husband and I built our house in New York about five years ago, and right before we began, I fell under the spell of the small-house movement; I had dozens of Post-Its in my copy of "The Not-So-Big HouSarah Susankauthor Sarah Susanka's recommendations for designing a house that was efficient and inviting without being pointlessly gigantic.

The New Yorker

E-mail address GO SIGN UP Share Tweet My husband and I built our house in New York about five years ago, and right before we began, I fell under the spell of the small-house movement; I had dozens of Post-Its in my copy of "The Not-So-Big Not-So-Big Not-So-Big House Susanka's recomarkingions for designing authore that waSarah Susankand inviting without being pointlessly gigantic.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Creatively the rolling format makes for a shorthand that's efficient and helpful, Michael said.

The New York Times

With Whiteside, the Heat offense swells — creating a half-court attack that is efficient and sustainable.

The Washington Post

His focus is on algorithms and models that are efficient, accurate, and yield compact models.

Columbia University

These applications require the design of single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) that are efficient and specific.

Stanford University

Applied broadly, investors can use the M2 technique to select funds that are efficient risk-takers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was efficient" when you want to highlight that a process, method, or action achieved its purpose with minimal waste of time, resources, or effort.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "that was efficient" can sometimes sound too casual or understated in highly formal settings. In such cases, consider using alternatives like "that was highly effective" or "that was particularly resourceful" to maintain the appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was efficient" primarily functions as a comment or observation about a preceding action, process, or method. It serves to evaluate its effectiveness in terms of resource utilization and achieving the desired outcome. As Ludwig highlights, it is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that was efficient" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to express approval or recognition of something that has been done effectively and with minimal waste. While its register is generally neutral, it is important to consider the context and use more formal alternatives when appropriate. Common alternatives to "that was efficient" include "that was effective" and "that was productive". Remember to highlight efficient resource management when choosing to use "that was efficient".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was effective

Focuses more on achieving the desired result, while "that was efficient" highlights resourcefulness.

that was productive

Emphasizes the generation of output or results, rather than just streamlined action.

that was streamlined

Highlights the smooth and optimized nature of the process, with less emphasis on the outcome itself.

that was well-organized

Focuses on the orderliness of the approach, not necessarily the speed or resource conservation.

that was resourceful

Highlights the ability to find and use available resources smartly, which may imply efficiency.

that was time-saving

Explicitly emphasizes the reduction in time taken.

that was economical

Highlights cost-effectiveness and frugality.

that was expeditious

Implies speed and promptness in completion. More formal.

that was optimized

Focuses on achieving the best possible outcome given the constraints

that was slick

Emphasizes the speed and ease of the action

FAQs

How can I use "that was efficient" in a sentence?

You can use "that was efficient" to describe a process, action, or method that was effective and accomplished in a timely manner. For example, "The meeting was brief and to the point; that was efficient."

What can I say instead of "that was efficient"?

You can use alternatives like "that was effective", "that was productive", or "that was streamlined" depending on the context.

Is "that was efficient" grammatically correct?

Yes, "that was efficient" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure and is widely used in both spoken and written communication.

When is it appropriate to use "that was efficient"?

It is appropriate to use "that was efficient" when you want to commend something for being effective and saving time or resources. In formal settings, consider more sophisticated alternatives to maintain an appropriate tone.