efficacious and effective

[wuminh]

in what situation do we use "efficacious" and " effective"

For example.

1) This temple is very efficacious. whenever we pray something, we're going to get what we want.
Correct? efficacious or effective.

2) This medication is very effective/efficacious. effective or efficacious?

thanks

[Teia]

Originally Posted by wuminh

in what situation do we use "efficacious" and " effective"

For example.

1) This temple is very efficacious. whenever we pray something, we're going to get what we want.
Correct? efficacious or effective.

2) This medication is very effective/efficacious. effective or efficacious?

thanks

All these are relative synonyms:

Effective, effectual, efficacious, efficient refer to that which is able to produce a (desired) effect.
Effective is applied to that which has the power to, or which actually does, produce an effect: an effective action, remedy, speech.
Effectual is used esp. of that which produces the effect desired or intended, or a decisive result: An effectual bombardment silenced the enemy.
Efficacious suggests the capability of achieving a certain end: an efficacious plan, medicine.
Efficient (applied also to persons) implies the skillful use of energy or industry to accomplish desired results with little waste of effort: efficient methods; an efficient manager.

effective - Definitions from Dictionary.com