Difference Between Effective and Efficient

Effective vs Efficient
 

Though effective and efficient may seem similar there is a difference between effective and efficient. In other words, we can say that effective and efficient are two words that give different inner meanings. The word effective is used in the sense of power. On the other hand, the word efficient is used in the sense of ability. In other words, it can be said that the word efficient conveys the ability of a person or a thing whereas the word effective suggests the innate power of a thing.

What does Effective mean?

Originated from late middle English, effective is used as an adjective and a noun by English users. According to the Oxford English dictionary, effective is “successful in producing a desired or intended result.” To understand effective better, look at the following sentences.

The advice was really effective.

The citizen accepted the solutions presented by the mayor for the environmental issue were accepted as effective solutions.

In the first sentence, the word effective suggests the innate power of the advice given. The second sentence suggests that the solutions were successfully fulfilling the intended result of putting an end to or controlling environmental issue.

It can thus be said that the word effective is connotative of strength. The word effective can also be used as an adjective as in the sentence,

The effective rule was imposed.

The word effective is used as an adjective to describe nouns such as decision, medicine, advice, writing and such other nouns. The word effective has its adverbial form as effectively.

What does Efficient mean?

According to the Oxford English dictionary efficient means “(Of a system or machine) achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense,” and “(Of a person) working in a well-organized and competent way.” Efficient has also originated from late middle English. It is only used as an adjective. Look at the sentences given below.

The manager was very efficient.

Francis is an efficient stenographer.

In the above given sentence, the word efficient suggests the skill or the ability of the manager. Efficient is used as an adjective too as in the second sentence. Moreover, the word efficient is connotative of dexterity.

The word efficient is used to describe nouns such as manager, player, singer, artist and such other words. The word efficient is used as an adverb too as in the sentence,

He worked efficiently.

However, as you can see the adverb form of efficient is efficiently. The other important fact to note about efficient is that it can be used to describe both things, as in machines, and people who work well.

What is the difference between Effective and Efficient?

One has to be careful in the usage of both the words effective and efficient. They cannot be interchanged. They would lose their sense if done so.
One of the main differences between the words effective and efficient is that both of them have different noun forms. The noun form of effective is efficacy whereas the noun form of efficient is efficiency.

• The word effective is used in the sense of power. On the other hand, the word efficient is used in the sense of ability.

• In other words, it can be said that the word efficient conveys the ability of a person or a thing whereas the word effective suggests the innate power of a thing.

• The adverb of efficient is efficiently. The adverb of effective is effectively.

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