Why not use "timing" here?

[FangFang]

Business English Lesson, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #136 "Office Technology Problems", question 7

The average total time lost at work every day was over two hours, of which an hour and a half was because communication technology was not used to good ..........

(a) condition
(b) effect
(c) management
(d) timing

Business English Lesson, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #136 "Office Technology Problems", answer 7

The average total time lost at work every day was over two hours, of which an hour and a half was because communication technology was not used to good effect.

Correct answer: (b) effect

Your answer was: incorrect
The average total time lost at work every day was over two hours, of which an hour and a half was because communication technology was not used to good timing.
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Hi,
I have two questions, as follows:
1) Why not use "timing 'here ? Because "timing" has a meaning of as a way of achieving the desired result . If the communication techonology wasn't used well, it will waste people's working time ,too.
2) Why use the prep "to " after "... was not used "? Can I use "for" ?

Many thanks!!!!!!

F.F

[Mister Micawber]

.
Hello, FF.

It is not a matter of meaning, but of collocation and/or set phrase.

The phrase is '[use] to good effect'. To use something to good effect is to do so effectively or with success.

That is why neither timing nor for will fit into this sentence; the phrases thus created would be odd or inappropriate. To good timing has no meaning for me; for good effect means for the purpose of impressing someone.
.
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Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber