to be efficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'to be efficient' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about someone or something working well and quickly, usually without wasting resources (time, energy, materials, etc.). For example: "The new machine has been designed to be efficient, so it should help us save time and money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And these guys need to be efficient".

The New Yorker

You have to be efficient to survive.

The New York Times

To be efficient, they need that.

Independent

We're going to be efficient".

The New York Times - Sports

Everything needs to be efficient for them".

The New York Times

"I just have to be efficient.

The New York Times - Sports

They're just trying to be efficient.

The New York Times - Sports

So you want to be efficient.

The New York Times

Democracy was never intended to be efficient".

The New York Times

They're going to have to be efficient".

The New York Times

"Who said war is supposed to be efficient?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing efficiency, clearly define what resources you aim to save, such as time, money, or energy. This adds specificity and impact to your statement.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something needs "to be efficient" without explaining why or how. Always provide context about what makes efficiency important in that specific situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be efficient" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used to express a purpose, goal, or desired state. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form in written English. As an infinitive, it often acts as an adverbial modifier, explaining why something is done or should be done.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Reference

5%

Wiki

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to be efficient" is a common and grammatically correct infinitive phrase that signifies the goal of minimizing waste and maximizing productivity. According to Ludwig, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and business, with a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, it's best practice to provide context about the specific resources you're aiming to save. Avoid vague statements; instead, clearly define why and how efficiency is important in the given situation. Semantically related phrases include "to maximize efficiency", "to streamline operations", and "to optimize performance". By following these guidelines, you can effectively communicate your intention to achieve optimal results with minimal waste. The frequency of the expression leads us to conclude that is a very common expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to maximize efficiency

Focuses on reaching the highest possible level of efficiency.

to optimize performance

Highlights the improvement of overall performance to achieve efficiency.

to improve effectiveness

Focuses on making something more successful in achieving its desired outcome.

to streamline operations

Implies simplifying and making processes more effective.

to optimize resources

Focuses on utilizing resources in the best possible way to achieve efficiency.

to enhance productivity

Emphasizes increasing the rate at which goods or services are produced.

to work effectively

Highlights the manner of working, focusing on effectiveness.

to be productive

Emphasizes the state of producing significant results.

to achieve optimal output

Concentrates on attaining the best possible results from a process or system.

to ensure efficacy

Highlights ensuring the ability to produce a desired or intended result.

FAQs

How can I use "to be efficient" in a sentence?

You can use "to be efficient" to describe the goal of optimizing a process or resource. For example, "The aim of the project is "to be efficient" in resource allocation."

What are some alternatives to saying "to be efficient"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to maximize efficiency", "to streamline operations", or "to optimize performance".

Is it correct to say "to be efficiently" instead of "to be efficient"?

No, "to be efficient" is the correct form. "Efficient" is an adjective describing the state of something, while "efficiently" is an adverb describing how something is done. The phrase needs an adjective in this construction.

What's the difference between "to be effective" and "to be efficient"?

"To be effective" means achieving the desired outcome, while "to be efficient" means achieving the outcome with minimal waste of resources. Something can be effective without being efficient, and vice versa.