ineffective
gb/ɪnɪfˈɛktɪv/ us/ɪnɪfˈɛktɪv/
B2
Inglês
~ 7700
Aceções
0 aceções
adjective
B2
property
1
not producing the desired result
Not working in the way you want; not giving the result you need.
Padrão de uso:
[something] is ineffective (against/at/in [doing something])
Erro comum:
Learners often confuse "ineffective" with "inefficient". "Ineffective" means it does not work or does not achieve the goal at all. "Inefficient" means it works, but it wastes time, money, or energy. Learners also sometimes say *"un-effective"*, which is incorrect; the correct word is "ineffective".
Sinónimos
inefficient (Suggests waste of time or resources as well as poor results, while "ineffective" focuses mainly on not achieving the result.)
|
useless (More informal and stronger, often emotional; suggests something has no value at all.)
Antónimos
effective (Direct opposite; something that successfully produces the intended result.)
Colocações
ineffective treatment
|ineffective policy
|ineffective method
|prove ineffective
|largely ineffective
|completely ineffective
Temas
daily life
|work
|health
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- The new software was ineffective at blocking spam emails.
- Doctors found that the drug was ineffective against the new strain of the virus.
- Despite the advertising campaign, their strategy proved largely ineffective.
- The lock is ineffective if you leave the door open.
- These measures are ineffective in reducing traffic in the city center.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- The medicine was ineffective, so my pain did not go away.
- Their plan to save money was ineffective, and they spent even more.
- This old cleaner is ineffective on tough stains.
- The new rule is ineffective because people do not follow it.
- The mosquito spray was ineffective, and I still got many bites.
adjective
B2
property
2
not competent or successful in a role
Not good at doing an important job or role; not able to get good results.
Padrão de uso:
[someone] is an ineffective [role]
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes think "ineffective" for people means physically weak. It actually focuses on performance and results in a role (for example, as a leader, teacher, or manager), not on physical strength. They may also overuse "bad" ("a bad leader") where "ineffective" is more precise and less emotional.
Sinónimos
incompetent (Stronger and more critical; suggests a lack of basic ability or skill, while "ineffective" may also refer to weak style or poor results.)
|
weak (More general and can refer to personality or power; "ineffective" specifically highlights poor performance or lack of results in a role.)
Antónimos
effective (Describes a person or group that achieves good results and performs their role well.)
Colocações
ineffective leader
|ineffective manager
|ineffective teacher
|ineffective leadership
|ineffective team
Temas
work
|education
|politics
|management
Exemplos
- Many staff members felt that he was an ineffective leader who avoided making decisions.
- The company replaced its ineffective management team after profits fell for a third year.
- She was an excellent researcher but an ineffective teacher.
- The committee has been criticized as slow and ineffective in dealing with complaints.
- Ineffective leadership can damage morale across the entire organization.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- He is an ineffective manager, and the team is very confused.
- The students say their teacher is ineffective because they do not learn much.
- The new coach was ineffective, so the team kept losing games.
- An ineffective leader does not give clear plans.
- The government was ineffective in helping people after the storm.
adjective
formal
C1
property
3
not legally valid or enforceable
Not having power in law; it cannot be used or enforced in a legal way.
Padrão de uso:
[agreement/contract/clause] is ineffective (under/according to [law])
Erro comum:
Learners may not recognize that "ineffective" here has a specific legal meaning close to "not valid" or "not enforceable", not just "does not work well" in a general sense. In everyday speech, "invalid" is usually more common for this idea.
Sinónimos
invalid (Common legal term meaning not legally acceptable or binding; "ineffective" in this sense stresses lack of legal effect or consequence.)
Antónimos
enforceable (Describes something (like a law or contract) that can be carried out or acted on by legal authority.)
Colocações
ineffective contract
|ineffective agreement
|ineffective clause
|render [something] ineffective
Temas
law
|business
Exemplos
- The court ruled that the agreement was ineffective under current consumer protection laws.
- Any clause that limits liability in this way will be considered ineffective.
- Because the document was not signed, the contract is legally ineffective.
- These changes render the previous licensing terms ineffective.
- Without parliamentary approval, the proposed regulations remain ineffective.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- The judge said the contract was ineffective because it broke the law.
- The company found that one part of the agreement was legally ineffective.
- If the document is not signed, it is ineffective in court.
- A clause can be ineffective if it is not clear.
- The new rule is ineffective until the government approves it.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
ineffective
IPA
GB/ɪnɪfˈɛktɪv/
US/ɪnɪfˈɛktɪv/
Sílabas e acento
in - ef - fect - ive (4 sílabas)
Stress on 3rd syllable (fect)
Formas da palavra
Adjective
- Base: ineffective
Família de palavras
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
ineffectively
adverb
ineffectiveness
noun
Expressões
Ainda não há expressões associadas a esta entrada.