a negative effect

USAGE SUMMARY

"a negative effect" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a harmful or detrimental consequence of something. For example, "The excessive use of plastic has had a negative effect on marine life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's a negative effect".

The Guardian - Tech

It had a negative effect on my team.

The Guardian

"It had a negative effect on our image".

The New York Times

Cutting subsidies would only have a negative effect".

The Guardian

This has had a negative effect on our community.

The Guardian

"No, it is more having a negative effect on Christmas.

The Guardian

"I think we had a negative effect," Jones said.

The Guardian

"The softening economy is clearly also having a negative effect".

The New York Times

Moving to a larger class had a negative effect.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Regardless of your child's temperament, restricting has a negative effect.

The Washington Post

The bush had a negative effect on our physical relationship.

The Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing "a negative effect", be specific about what is being affected and the nature of the negative impact. For instance, instead of saying "the policy had a negative effect", specify "the policy had a negative effect on employee morale".

Common error

Avoid using "a negative effect" without providing context. Saying something has "a negative effect" without explaining what it affects or how it is negative weakens your argument. Be precise and detailed.

Linguistic Context

"A negative effect" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a detrimental outcome or consequence resulting from a particular action or situation. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a negative effect" is a versatile phrase used to describe a detrimental consequence or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and commonly used. It appears most frequently in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to be specific about what is being affected and the nature of the impact. Alternatives like "an adverse impact" or "a detrimental consequence" can add nuance, but the key is to provide clear and precise context to avoid vagueness. Keep in mind that its neutral register makes it suitable for a range of writing styles, from academic papers to news reports.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an adverse impact

Replaces "effect" with "impact" and "negative" with "adverse" maintaining the same core meaning.

a detrimental consequence

Substitutes "negative effect" with "detrimental consequence", emphasizing the damaging result.

a harmful outcome

Replaces "effect" with "outcome" and "negative" with "harmful", focusing on the damaging result.

an undesirable result

Uses "undesirable result" to convey a negative consequence in a more general way.

a damaging repercussion

Emphasizes the far-reaching and harmful nature of the effect.

a downside

A simpler term for "a negative effect", implying a disadvantage.

a drawback

Similar to "downside", indicating a negative aspect or disadvantage.

a setback

Focuses on the hindering or delaying aspect of the negative effect.

a complication

Highlights the complexity or difficulty introduced by the negative effect.

a pitfall

Emphasizes the danger or trap-like nature of the negative effect.

FAQs

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

You can use "a negative effect" to describe the detrimental consequences of an action or event. For example, "Pollution has "a negative effect" on the environment."

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "an adverse impact", "a detrimental consequence", or "a harmful outcome".

Is it better to say "negative effect" or "negative impact"?

Both "negative effect" and "negative impact" are acceptable. The choice often depends on the specific context and stylistic preference. "Impact" might suggest a stronger or more forceful effect than "effect."

What's the difference between "a negative effect" and "a side effect"?

"A negative effect" is a general term for an undesirable outcome. "A side effect", on the other hand, often refers to unintended consequences, especially in medical or technical contexts. For instance, a medication might have "a negative effect", referred to as a side effect.