effectively

/ɪˈfektɪvli/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈfektɪvli/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˈfek-tiv-lē e-, ē-, ə-/ (ame, mw)

effectively — adverb

1. producing the intended result: succeeding at what you set out to do without usin

1.副詞B2
釋義

producing the intended result: succeeding at what you set out to do without using more time or effort than needed.

例句

Quinn managed the project effectively, finishing two weeks ahead of schedule.

collocation: manage [project/team] effectively

The new medicine works effectively against bacterial infections in the lungs.

pattern: work effectively against [illness/problem]

同義詞
  • efficiently

    focuses on doing something with minimum waste of time or resources, while effectively focuses on achieving the result

  • successfully

    emphasises that the goal was actually reached, slightly stronger than effectively

  • productively

    highlights that the time or effort produced useful output

  • well

    more general and informal; lacks the precision of effectively

反義詞
  • ineffectively

    opposite meaning — failing to produce the desired result

  • badly

    more general opposite; poor performance in any respect

文法句型

verb + effectively

effectively + verb

effectively modifies a verb to show success

用法筆記

This sense usually modifies a verb describing how an action is carried out. It is commonly paired with verbs of management, communication, and use of resources such as manage, use, work, communicate, organize, plan, and operate.

常見錯誤

❌The medicine works effectually against the infection.
✅The medicine works effectively against the infection.
💡'effectually' is rare; 'effectively' is the standard adverb for describing successful results.
❌She did the job effectually.
✅She did the job effectively.
💡'effectually' is almost never used in modern English; 'effectively' is the correct choice.

2. used to describe the real or practical outcome of a situation, even when the off

2.副詞B2
釋義

used to describe the real or practical outcome of a situation, even when the official or stated facts suggest something different — for example, a rule that officially allows something but effectively prevents it.

例句

By refusing to negotiate, Hoa effectively ended any chance of a peaceful solution.

pattern: sentence adverb modifying whole clause

The company's decision effectively closes the factory, even though they call it a temporary pause.

pattern: effectively + present tense verb stating real outcome

同義詞
  • virtually

    close in meaning but slightly stronger — suggests near-equivalence ('virtually impossible')

  • practically

    more informal and everyday than effectively in this sense

  • in reality

    a phrase rather than a single word; makes the contrast with official facts more explicit

文法句型

effectively + [clause]

used at the start of a clause or before the main verb

用法筆記

Often used when an official position or label does not match the practical result. The adverb typically sits directly before the main verb or at the start of the sentence. Frequently found in analytical or critical writing about policies, decisions, and social situations.

常見錯誤

❌Effectively, the rule was effective.
✅In effect, the rule achieved its goal.
💡Avoid pairing effectively and effective in the same sentence; it creates confusion between the two senses.
❌The effectively decision changed everything.
✅The decision effectively changed everything.
💡'effectively' must modify a verb or the whole sentence, not a noun.