[Vocabulary] Efficacy, effectiveness, efficiency, activity, effectuality...?

[Isny]

Dear all,

I am looking for the right word (see title) but I can't decide which one fits best.

Let's say we talk about tooth paste and its ability to prevent caries. Would we then say that tooth paste has a "anti-caries efficacy" or an "anti-caries effectiveness" or efficiency, activity or effectuality? Which one fits best?

In reality I don't want to talk about tooth paste, but it is basically the same problem.

I hope you can help me, maybe I should express it in a entirely different way.

Thanks in advance,
Isny

 

[The Maltese Falcon]

I personally would say, It is effective to prevent cavities.

 

[SoothingDave]

It is effective in fighting tooth decay.

"Efficacy" is not a common word. I have never heard anyone use "effectuality." If you want a noun, use "effectiveness."

 

[Isny]

Thanks!

This is a good possibility, however it would require rearranging the whole sentence, which is why I would like to stick with the "anti-..." structure

 

[Isny]

Thanks to you, too.

Maybe I should consider rearranging the sentence after all.

 

[Barb_D]

As a writer, I can assure you that when you struggle to find the right word to fill in the blank, revising the sentence is often the best answer.

 

[Isny]

Thank you all again for helping so quickly!

The problem is solved, as far as I am concerned

 

[MikeNewYork]

This reminds me of advertising for Crest toothpaste in the 1960s. Many people from that era still remember it: ''Crest has been shown to be an effective decay-preventive dentifrice that can be of significant value when used in a conscientiously applied program of oral hygiene and regular professional care.''

 

[Raymott]

"Efficacy" is not a common word. I have never heard anyone use "effectuality." If you want a noun, use "effectiveness."

'Efficacy' and 'efficacious' are common words in medicine to describe treatments. I've rarely heard it elsewhere. I've also never heard "effectual/effectuality" that I can recall.

There was once a pop song that went something like this:

We'll drink-a drink a drink
To Lily the Pink, the Pink, the Pink,
Saviour of the human race.
She invented medicinal compounds,
Most efficacious in every way.