was that effective

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was that effective" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to inquire about the success or impact of an action, decision, or communication after it has occurred. Example: "After the presentation, I asked the team, 'Was that effective in conveying our message?'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

He didn't have to; he was that effective for his part of the game.

The New York Times - Sports

The reason given, according to the filing, was that "effective July 1 , 2011he will experience a material change in his professional position at LAMCO LLC, the management company of the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy estate, and will no longer be involved in the management of the shares of the Company held by such entity".

The New York Times

In business, Probst's finding was that effective CoPs had a sponsor, or senior executive, who sanctioned the CoP.

BMC Family Practice

SENIOR -- Was that effective?

The New York Times

What was that effective little motto you were repeating in your head last year?

The New York Times - Sports

Farther east he established some sort of control over the nomadic tribes of the Syrian Desert as far as the Euphrates River, though it is scarcely probable that Israelite domination was that effective.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Not that rationality is that effective here.

The Guardian - Opinion

The organization under Mr. Mitchell has just not been that effective".

The New York Times

The only other weight-loss aids known to be that effective are prescription drugs.

The New York Times - Health

"My belief is that effective leadership does not mean accumulating power.

The Guardian

The good news is that effective programs are available that can reduce school aggression by 50percentt in just two years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was that effective", ensure the context clearly indicates what "that" refers to. This avoids ambiguity and ensures your question is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "was that effective" without a clear antecedent for "that". If the context is unclear, specify what you're asking about for clarity. For example, instead of saying only "was that effective?", say "was that marketing campaign effective?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was that effective" functions as an interrogative expression used to inquire about the degree of success or impact resulting from a specific action, strategy, or method. The examples presented by Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts, from evaluating marketing campaigns to leadership styles.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was that effective" is a grammatically sound and frequently used interrogative phrase, as validated by Ludwig. Its function is to solicit feedback regarding the success of a particular action or strategy. According to Ludwig AI, it is best suited for neutral contexts, appearing most often in news and media. To ensure clarity, provide a clear reference for "that" and consider more formal alternatives such as "did that achieve the desired result" in professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did that work

This is a more direct and informal way of asking if something was successful.

was that successful

A simple synonym focusing on the success of the action.

did that have the intended impact

Focuses on the impact or influence of the action.

did that achieve the desired result

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the intended outcome.

did that make a difference

Focuses on whether the action had a noticeable effect.

was that productive

Emphasizes whether the action led to a useful result.

did that deliver the expected outcome

This alternative emphasizes the fulfillment of expectations.

did that prove useful

Asks if the action or thing was helpful or beneficial.

was that advantageous

Highlights if the action provided an advantage.

was that worthwhile

Considers whether the effort was justified by the outcome.

FAQs

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

Use "was that effective" to inquire about the success or impact of a previous action. For instance, "After the training session, I asked, 'Was that effective in teaching new skills?'"

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

You can use alternatives like "did that work", "was that successful", or "did that achieve the desired result" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "was that effective" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "was that effective" is more suitable for neutral or informal contexts. In formal writing, consider more precise phrases such as "did that achieve the intended outcome" or "was that approach successful".

What's the difference between "was that effective" and "is that effective"?

"Was that effective" refers to a past action or event, while "is that effective" refers to something currently in use or a general strategy. For example, "Was that effective in reducing costs last year?" versus "Is that effective as a long-term solution?"