Effective-Efficient | Commonly Confused Words
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Master confusing words with ease

Effective vs. Efficient

Effective

/ɪˈfektɪv/
Something that produces a desired or intended result

Examples:

It is a simple but effective ruse.'The secret to effective time management is.What makes pomodoro so effective?

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Efficient

/ɪˈfɪʃənt/
Working well without wasting time, energy, or resources

Examples:

'Our police force has been very efficient in capturing the murderer.The process proved efficient.Anyway, he was there, swinging a dashed efficient shoe.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • Effective focuses on the result achieved, while efficient focuses on the process of achieving a result with minimal waste.
  • When something is effective, it achieves the desired outcome or effect, regardless of the resources used.
  • Being efficient means doing something in a way that maximizes output while minimizing input or effort.
  • An effective strategy ensures the problem is solved, but an efficient strategy ensures it is solved using fewer resources.
  • Efficiency is about doing things the right way, whereas effectiveness is about doing the right things.
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