What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
effectiveness
Example
The effectiveness of the new marketing strategy was evident in the increased sales. [effectiveness: noun]
Example
The medication has been proven to be highly effective in treating the symptoms. [effective: adjective]
usefulness
Example
The book provided a lot of useful information on how to start a business. [useful: adjective]
Example
The tool proved to be very useful in fixing the broken machine. [usefulness: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Usefulness is more commonly used than effectiveness in everyday language. Usefulness is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while effectiveness is more technical and is often used in professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between effectiveness and usefulness?
Effectiveness is typically associated with a more formal tone, while usefulness is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.