unproductive

/ˌʌnprəˈdʌktɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌʌnprəˈdʌktɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌən-prə-ˈdək-tiv -prō-/ (ame, mw)

unproductive — adjective

  • unproductivepositive
  • more unproductivecomparative
  • most unproductivesuperlative

1. giving only a small amount or very little return for the effort or money spent;

1.形容詞B2
釋義

giving only a small amount or very little return for the effort or money spent; used especially of land, soil, natural resources, or a period of time in which very little gets done.

例句

After three years of farming the unproductive soil, Anong finally moved to the city.

collocation: unproductive soil / unproductive farmland

The old mine had been unproductive for months, so the company decided to close it.

pattern: unproductive for + [time period]

同義詞
  • barren

    stronger — suggests land that cannot support life at all, while unproductive may just mean low output

  • infertile

    used specifically for soil or land unable to support plant growth

  • unfruitful

    more formal and less common; can apply to land or efforts

反義詞
  • productive

    the direct opposite across both senses

  • fertile

    specifically opposite for land and soil

文法句型

unproductive + noun (land / soil / period)

be + unproductive

用法筆記

Often describes land, soil, mines, or farmland that cannot produce adequate crops or resources despite investment. Also describes work periods or fiscal quarters with very little output.

常見錯誤

❌The meeting was unproductive because nobody came.
✅The meeting was unproductive because no decisions were reached.
💡Unproductive describes a lack of useful results, not a lack of attendance.

2. failing to produce any useful or valuable outcome; describing activities, conver

2.形容詞B2
釋義

failing to produce any useful or valuable outcome; describing activities, conversations, or work that do not achieve what they were meant to.

例句

The team's discussion was unproductive, so the manager asked everyone to prepare new proposals.

predicative: be + unproductive

After two hours of unproductive debate, Élise suggested they take a short break.

attributive: unproductive debate

同義詞
  • futile

    stronger — implies the effort could never have worked; unproductive just means it did not work this time

  • pointless

    suggests the activity had no purpose at all; more informal than unproductive

  • ineffective

    focuses on the method or person not working well, while unproductive focuses on the outcome

  • fruitless

    slightly more formal; suggests effort was wasted despite good intentions

反義詞
  • productive

    the direct opposite across both senses

  • effective

    opposite specifically for actions and methods

  • fruitful

    suggests effort yielded good results

文法句型

be + unproductive

prove + unproductive

unproductive + noun (discussion / meeting / effort)

用法筆記

Frequently describes meetings, discussions, arguments, negotiations, or work efforts. Common in business, academic, and personal contexts. Often paired with verbs like 'prove', 'remain', or 'become'.

常見錯誤

❌I felt very unproductive after the meeting.
✅The meeting was very unproductive.
💡Unproductive describes the activity or situation, not a person's feelings directly (use 'I felt I had been unproductive' if describing personal output).