What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unefficient
Example
The company's unefficient production process led to increased costs and decreased profits. [unefficient: adjective]
Example
Using a manual typewriter in the digital age is an unefficient way to produce documents. [unefficient: adjective]
inefficient
Example
The old air conditioning system was inefficient and caused high energy bills. [inefficient: adjective]
Example
The government's inefficient bureaucracy slowed down the process of obtaining permits. [inefficient: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Inefficient is more commonly used than unefficient in everyday language and is more versatile in terms of formality and context.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unefficient and inefficient?
Inefficient is more commonly used in formal writing and speech, while unefficient is more informal and may be considered colloquial.