Words / B2

i-FEKT-ivn-uh-s/ɪˈfektɪvnəs/

Effectiveness is how well something produces the intended result: measure effectiveness; the effectiveness of a policy. Effective is the adjective (already in the dictionary). Efficiency is about low waste (next). Efficacy is a formal/medical twin. Uncountable. Do not confuse with effect (the result itself).

Meaning

How well something works in producing the result you want.

Examples

• “The review questioned the effectiveness of the short training course.”
• “The review questioned the effectiveness of the one-day training.”
• “Effectiveness is not the same as popularity; a campaign can be liked and still fail.”

Good to know

Uncountable: effectiveness of + policy/drug. Adjective: effective. Low waste: efficiency. Medical formal: efficacy. Mix-up: effect.

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