work efficiently

USAGE SUMMARY

"work efficiently" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it when describing someone or something that you believe is productive and effective when working. For example: "I'm impressed by her ability to work efficiently and complete tasks quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To work efficiently, markets must be liquid.

The Economist

"You just need to work efficiently".

The New York Times - Sports

Integrated technologies will help make dense complex cities work efficiently.

The Guardian

Because to work efficiently, benefits must, by necessity, be complicated.

The Guardian - Opinion

Lastly, financial markets need reliable information to work efficiently.

The Economist

Regulators must also promise to take prompt corrective action, and to perform their work efficiently.

The New York Times

Markets rely, in the old phrase, on ceteris paribus to work efficiently.

The Guardian

Its all hard, dirty work, efficiently described without irony or self-pity.

The New York Times - Books

Thanks to this pattern, I've been able to work efficiently now for twenty-seven years.

The New Yorker

There are all kinds of special services here which work efficiently.

The New York Times

You would need to reinvent the European charter to get it to work efficiently.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing how a team or organization functions, use "work efficiently" to highlight that tasks are completed without wasting resources or time.

Common error

Avoid using "work efficiently" when you actually mean to describe the quality of the work itself. Efficiency focuses on the process and resource utilization, not the final product's quality. If you are talking about the outcome you may want to use 'work effectively' instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work efficiently" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb "work". It describes the manner in which the work is performed, indicating a focus on productivity and resourcefulness. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "work efficiently" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe performing tasks in a productive and resource-conscious manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used across various contexts, from professional settings to everyday advice. While highly versatile, it’s important to ensure its scope is well understood: "work efficiently" relates to the process of working, not necessarily the quality of the outcome. Alternatives like "work productively" or "operate effectively" may be more appropriate depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

work productively

Emphasizes the output or results achieved while working.

be efficient in one's work

More formal phrasing of the original query.

operate effectively

Focuses on the overall effectiveness of a system or process.

perform proficiently

Highlights the skill and expertise in carrying out a task.

function optimally

Stresses the ideal or best possible way of working.

execute flawlessly

Implies precision and accuracy in completing a task.

streamline workflow

Refers to optimizing processes for efficiency.

optimize performance

Focuses on enhancing overall performance and output.

work smartly

Suggests using intelligent strategies to improve efficiency.

expedite tasks

To accelerate the completion of tasks.

FAQs

How can I use "work efficiently" in a sentence?

You can use "work efficiently" to describe a person, team, or system that completes tasks productively without wasting resources. For example, "The new software helps us "work efficiently"".

What's the difference between "work efficiently" and "work effectively"?

"Work efficiently" focuses on minimizing wasted time and resources, while "work effectively" emphasizes achieving desired outcomes. You can "work effectively" even if you aren't "working efficiently" and vice versa.

What are some alternatives to saying "work efficiently"?

You can use alternatives like "work productively", "operate effectively", or "perform proficiently" depending on the context.

Is "work efficiently" formal or informal?

"Work efficiently" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in business, academic, and general conversations to describe productivity and resourcefulness.