What's the difference between ineffectual and ineffective?

[Anonymous]

Just heard Chris Christie use both in the same sentence, as if they are two different things. Are they? (The dictionary didn't help me with this question.)

[Anonymous]

https://thebettereditor.wordpress.com/2012/09/07/are-you-ineffectual-or-only-ineffective/

"With all this information uncovered, the distinction between ineffective and ineffectual begins to become clear. You can use ineffective in any situation, especially when the ineffectiveness is through no personal fault. But ineffectual should be reserved for situations in which you’re referring to a person"

[Anonymous]

That is a great example of the English language being over complicated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is a great example of the English language being over complicated.

No, it is more an example of the English language being overly complicated

[Anonymous]

Ineffectual refers to a person- as a judgement. Ineffective refers to an outcome- may not be a judgement.

[Anonymous]

Ineffectual describes an entity that can't get things done; ineffective describes a thing that doesn't work. Ineffectual implies weak -- trying but not succeeding. A very strong policy (I don't know, death sentence for jaywalkers?) might be ineffective at preventing jaywalking, but you wouldn't call it ineffectual; an agency that couldn't enforce rules because its agents have no arrest powers could be described as ineffectual. Some things can be both.