a horrendous effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a horrendous effect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very negative or damaging impact of something. Example: "The new policy had a horrendous effect on employee morale, leading to increased turnover rates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This month the Hamilton Project released a depressing assessment of the results of the era of radical market deregulation that Rubin's policies launched, particularly as it had a horrendous effect on children.

Huffington Post

As late as June 2009, Buck had held the opposite view, telling the Pikes Peak Economics Club, "I don't know that we get [repeal] tomorrow, but I think we get there in the very near future when people understand just what a horrendous effect the 17th amendment has been on the federal government's spending".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A horrendous event happened on this campus almost five years ago.

The New York Times

This is not a horrendous event.

The New York Times

Mr. Stockhausen's desire to compete with the horrendous effects of a terrorist act is a nihilistic distortion of the ethical imperatives to make art.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet, over a hundred and fifty years later, British polar explorers were still suffering from the horrendous effects of scurvy.

The Guardian

"It's a win-win for everyone but transit riders, who are still feeling the horrendous effects of the massive service cuts the M.T.A. engaged in in 2010," said John Samuelsen, president of Local 100, which represents 40,000 transit workers.

The New York Times

For instance, in his TV show he highlights the horrendous effects of the recession on on ordinary families through the ludicrous form of "Credit Crunch – the Rock Opera".

Independent

Whereas the international community has imposed blanket bans on other weapons with horrendous effects – from biological and chemical agents to landmines and cluster munitions – it has not yet done so for the very worst weapons of all.

The Guardian - Opinion

A horrendous dress.

The New York Times - Magazine

I made a horrendous mistake".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "a horrendous effect" with stronger synonyms like "devastating impact" or "calamitous result" to amplify the gravity of the situation, if appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "a horrendous effect" in casual or lighthearted conversations. Its strong negative connotation is more suitable for formal or serious discussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a horrendous effect" functions as a noun phrase, where "horrendous" is an adjective modifying the noun "effect". It specifies the kind or degree of the effect being described, emphasizing its extremely negative nature. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct to use.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a horrendous effect" is used to describe a significantly negative and damaging impact, as supported by Ludwig AI's assessment of its correctness. Though relatively rare, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "devastating impact" or "terrible consequence" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using this phrase, ensure it fits the tone and formality of your writing, reserving it for situations where the negative impact is indeed severe.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a devastating impact

Uses a stronger adjective to emphasize the severity of the effect.

a terrible consequence

Replaces "effect" with a more specific term, "consequence", highlighting the result of an action.

a disastrous outcome

Focuses on the final result, portraying it as extremely negative.

a calamitous result

Emphasizes the catastrophic nature of the result.

a ruinous impact

Highlights the destructive aspect of the impact.

an appalling outcome

Focuses on the shocking and unpleasant nature of the outcome.

a grievous consequence

Emphasizes the serious and distressing nature of the consequence.

a destructive force

Shifts the focus from the effect to the active agent causing destruction.

a negative fallout

Uses a term often associated with unintended and adverse consequences.

an unfortunate development

Downplays the severity while still indicating a negative turn of events.

FAQs

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

Use "a horrendous effect" to describe a very negative or damaging impact. For example, "The economic downturn had "a horrendous effect" on small businesses."

What are some alternatives to "a horrendous effect"?

You can use alternatives like "a devastating impact", "a terrible consequence", or "a disastrous outcome" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "a horrendous effect" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a horrendous effect" might be considered too dramatic for some formal contexts. Assess whether a more neutral or precise term would be more suitable.

What distinguishes "a horrendous effect" from "a bad effect"?

"A horrendous effect" implies a far greater degree of negativity and damage compared to simply "a bad effect", which suggests a milder negative impact.