was not efficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not efficient" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation, process, or method that did not perform well or achieve desired results. Example: "The previous system was not efficient, leading to delays in project completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Blood was not efficient in producing sinusitis.

Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology

The musket was not efficient for self-defense or hunting.

The New York Times - Books

But "the system was not efficient before," he added.

The New York Times

Burnett was not efficient; he made 97 pitches and collected only 16 outs.

The New York Times - Sports

David Phelps, the Yankees' starter, was effective, but he was not efficient.

The New York Times - Sports

Conclusion: Trazodone was not efficient in controlling tinnitus in the patients evaluated under the doses utilized.

Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology

The Mehlich 3 extractor was not efficient to evaluate Ni phytoavailability to maize plants.

Soil Biology and Biochemistry

Paul J. Cosgrave, the city's commissioner of information technology and telecommunications, said the current system worked but was not efficient.

The New York Times

Hughes had a good changeup and good late movement on his cut fastball and curve, but he was not efficient.

The New York Times - Sports

The catalyst was quite effective in oxidizing hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO), but was not efficient in reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx).

Catalysis Today

The degradation results showed that photolysis was not efficient in the vinasse mineralization and that Nb2O5 TiO2 was the most photoactive material.

Catalysis Today

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was not efficient", consider specifying why something lacked efficiency. Providing details clarifies the issue and suggests potential improvements.

Common error

Avoid excessive passive voice when using "was not efficient". Instead of saying "The process was not efficient", consider a more active construction: "The process failed to achieve efficiency", providing a clearer sense of agency and responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not efficient" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It attributes a quality (lack of efficiency) to a subject. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples across various domains where this phrase is used to describe the ineffectiveness of processes, methods, or systems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was not efficient" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a lack of effectiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its prevalence across varied contexts, particularly in science and news media. While versatile, it's most impactful when accompanied by specific details explaining the source of inefficiency. Remember to consider alternatives like "was ineffective" or "was unproductive" for nuanced expression. Be mindful of overuse of passive voice to craft clear and direct sentences. Ludwig AI’s analysis shows that this phrase serves to highlight issues, prompting analysis and improvement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was ineffective

Direct synonym, indicating a lack of desired effect or outcome.

was not effective

Similar to "was ineffective" but with a slightly different emphasis.

was unproductive

Focuses on the lack of output or results.

did not work well

Simple and straightforward way to express poor performance.

did not achieve the desired outcome

Emphasizes the failure to meet specific goals.

failed to deliver results

Emphasizes the absence of expected outcomes.

fell short of expectations

Highlights the gap between anticipated and actual performance.

was not optimal

Indicates that the performance was below the best possible level.

was a waste of time

Highlights the futility of the effort or process.

was not fruitful

Suggests a lack of positive outcomes or benefits.

FAQs

What does "was not efficient" mean?

The phrase "was not efficient" means something or someone didn't use resources like time, energy, or materials effectively, leading to waste or poor results.

What can I say instead of "was not efficient"?

You can use alternatives like "was ineffective", "was unproductive", or "did not work well" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "was not efficient" or "was inefficient"?

Both "was not efficient" and "was inefficient" are grammatically correct. "Was inefficient" is more concise, but "was not efficient" might be preferred for emphasis or clarity in certain contexts.

How to use "was not efficient" in a sentence?

You can use "was not efficient" to describe a process, system, or method that didn't perform well. For example, "The old system of data entry "was not efficient", leading to numerous errors."