a horrific effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a horrific effect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a negative or disturbing impact caused by an event, action, or situation. Example: "The natural disaster had a horrific effect on the local community, leaving many families displaced and in need of assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Rosie: The cuts in the arts are going to have such a horrific effect because we've been nurtured by going to museums and college for free.

The Guardian

That they are committing crimes such as kidnapping, which have a horrific effect on innocent people, makes cutting off their financing all the more urgent.

The New York Times

"I'm afraid that it will have a horrific effect on the levels of violence in Iraq," he said.

Vice

"I assaulted a patient, which got me on a section....What did the consultant do but put me on Depixol and it had a horrific effect on me, absolutely horrific.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Yes, Bernanke made one stunning mistake of judgment; he did not rescue Lehman Brothers from bankruptcy, and this omission caused a horrific ripple effect that froze money markets across the globe and caused investors to lose some grandiose amounts.

Forbes

As a result, many exhausted prisoners collapsed in front of the other prisoners in the line, and then fell on top of the other prisoners, creating a horrific domino effect; the first prisoner falling onto the next, and so on, all the way down the stairs.

Wikipedia

You Adebolajo concentrated on his neck – hacking at it repeatedly with first a substantial cleaver type knife and then another knife, all in an attempt to decapitate him for maximum horrific effect.

The Guardian

The immediate and horrific effect of "The Birth of a Nation" is inseparable from its artistic power.

The New Yorker

Through metaphors of rape, murder, entrapment and waste (among others) and a highly controlled rhetoric, Owen vividly recreates one horrific effect of the war.

The Guardian - Books

Al-Qaeda succeeded a few times; once on American soil with horrific effect that traumatized the country.

Huffington Post

They no longer seem to care.' That callousness was demonstrated to horrific effect earlier this year when three men were convicted of attempted murder.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a horrific effect", ensure that the context clearly establishes the cause of the effect and the nature of its severity. Providing specific details will amplify the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a horrific effect" to describe mildly negative situations. Save it for truly severe and disturbing consequences to maintain its intended impact. Overusing the phrase can dilute its meaning and diminish its effectiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a horrific effect" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies and emphasizes the significant negative impact or outcome resulting from a particular cause or event, as demonstrated by examples available on Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a horrific effect" is used to describe an extremely negative and disturbing impact, validated by Ludwig AI as grammatically correct and suitable for formal contexts. While relatively rare, it appears most frequently in news and media, scientific, and wiki sources. Alternatives such as ""a devastating impact"" or ""a calamitous consequence"" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure the context aligns with its strong connotation of severity to maintain its effectiveness and avoid overuse in mild situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a devastating impact

Emphasizes the destructive nature and widespread damage resulting from an event.

a calamitous consequence

Highlights the disastrous and far-reaching outcomes of a situation.

a terrible outcome

Focuses on the extremely negative and undesirable result of an action or event.

a dreadful repercussion

Stresses the severe and often indirect negative effects following a particular action.

a ruinous result

Indicates that the outcome causes significant damage or destruction.

a tragic aftermath

Highlights the sorrowful and regrettable conditions following an event.

a catastrophic fallout

Emphasizes the disastrous and widespread consequences of a specific incident or decision.

a harrowing consequence

Focuses on the extremely distressing or disturbing results of an action or event.

a nightmarish effect

Highlights the terrifying and deeply unpleasant impact of an event.

a crippling impact

Indicates a severely damaging or debilitating effect on something.

FAQs

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

Use "a horrific effect" to describe an extremely negative or disturbing impact resulting from a specific cause. For instance, "The war had "a horrific effect" on the civilian population".

What are some alternatives to using "a horrific effect"?

Alternatives include "a devastating impact", "a calamitous consequence", or "a terrible outcome", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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

Yes, "a horrific effect" is suitable for formal writing when describing genuinely severe and disturbing consequences. However, ensure the tone aligns with the overall formality of the piece.

What distinguishes "a horrific effect" from "a negative effect"?

"A horrific effect" implies a much greater degree of severity and disturbance than "a negative effect". Use "a horrific effect" when the consequences are exceptionally dire and shocking.