a decisive effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a decisive effect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an impact or influence that is significant and leads to a clear outcome or result. Example: "The new policy had a decisive effect on the company's overall performance, leading to increased profits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It took most of her thirties to realize that her inability to make decisions had had a decisive effect on her life, that time is unidirectional, and that she wouldn't be getting extra credit for refusing to live in the present.

The New Yorker

His collection had a decisive effect on the direction of his research.

The Guardian

The relation with Fanny had a decisive effect on Keats's development.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sensitivity analysis indicated that the dehumidification temperature has a decisive effect on the system performance.

Energy Conversion and Management

The powder shape turned out to have a decisive effect on the possibility on coatings formation.

Surface and Coatings Technology

It was a 'significant incident' which would have a decisive effect on US attitudes to the Gulf war, officials said.

The Guardian

Plants and animals were diverse during the Carboniferous and had a decisive effect on the accumulation of sedimentary materials.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Moreover, a new heating system has been designed to simulate interface temperature which has a decisive effect on lubricant behaviour.

Wear

On the first deal of the last session, shown in the diagram, a creative falsecard by Gordon had a decisive effect.

The New York Times

In short, the US stimulus effects on spending have probably been positive but small, and without a decisive effect on the economy.

The Guardian - Opinion

It really had a decisive effect on me, so a lot of our plans went awry, and I'm just starting to get through it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a decisive effect" when you want to emphasize that something has a clear and significant impact on the outcome. For example, "The new evidence had "a decisive effect" on the jury's verdict."

Common error

Avoid using "a decisive effect" when the impact is only minor or uncertain. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decisive effect" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes something that has a significant and determining influence on a particular outcome. Ludwig AI affirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a decisive effect" is a powerful tool for emphasizing the significant impact of something on a particular outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "a significant impact" or "a major influence" exist, "a decisive effect" implies a more definitive and outcome-altering influence. Remember to use it when you want to highlight a crucial factor in determining a result, but avoid overstating its importance in cases where the impact is minor or uncertain. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively incorporate "a decisive effect" into your writing to convey clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant impact

Emphasizes the importance of the effect, focusing on its magnitude.

a major influence

Highlights the power to shape or determine outcomes.

a critical factor

Focuses on the essential role in achieving a particular result.

a pivotal role

Stresses the importance of a turning point or key moment.

a game-changing impact

Implies a revolutionary or transformative effect.

a determining influence

Highlights the power to control or establish an outcome.

a substantial effect

Indicates a considerable or noteworthy impact.

a conclusive impact

Suggests a final and irrefutable effect.

a transformative effect

Indicates a major change resulting from an influence.

a fundamental impact

Emphasizes the basic or essential nature of the effect.

FAQs

How can I use "a decisive effect" in a sentence?

You can use "a decisive effect" to describe something that significantly influences an outcome. For example, "Her testimony had "a decisive effect" on the trial."

What's a good alternative to "a decisive effect"?

Alternatives include "a significant impact", "a major influence", or "a critical factor", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "decisive affect" instead of "a decisive effect"?

No, "affect" and "effect" have different meanings. "Effect" refers to a result or influence, while "affect" means to influence something. Therefore, "a decisive effect" is the correct phrase in this context.

What distinguishes "a decisive effect" from "a significant impact"?

"A decisive effect" implies a more definitive and outcome-altering influence, whereas "a significant impact" simply suggests a notable or considerable influence, not necessarily determining the result.