unproductive

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

unproductive — 形容詞

  • 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

低產

產量很少或無法產出的

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.

Anong 在這片低產的土地上耕作了三年，最後搬到了城裡。

collocation: unproductive soil / unproductive farmland

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

那座老礦場已經低產了好幾個月，公司於是決定將它關閉。

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

無成效；徒勞

沒有產生正面結果的

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.

團隊的討論毫無成效，主管於是要求所有人準備新的方案。

predicative: be + unproductive

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

經過兩小時毫無成效的爭論，Élise 建議大家先休息一下。

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).