a smaller effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a smaller effect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the magnitude of effects in various contexts, such as scientific studies, economics, or any situation where the impact of one factor is less than another. Example: "The new policy had a smaller effect on employee productivity than anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A smaller effect was seen for women.

The Guardian

If so, a rise in the euro will have a smaller effect on inflation than if exporters adjusted prices.

The Economist

THE rise in unemployment that has occurred in the current recession has been hardest on young workers, while having a smaller effect on older workers than previous downturns.

The New York Times

If gas taxes are high and consumption is low, as in Europe, fluctuations in the world price of oil have a smaller effect domestically.

The Guardian - Business

That's still the case this year although to a smaller effect.

TechCrunch

Results show that ambient temperature has a smaller effect on system performance than solar irradiation.

Applied Thermal Engineering

Doubling the end distance had a smaller effect on the bearing stiffness.

Composite Structures

I focus on expansions covering mostly childless adults and find a smaller effect on labor supply.

Health Economics Review

A femoral nerve block has a smaller effect on hemodynamic parameters than spinal-epidural anesthesia.

JA Clinical Reports

Sevoflurane has a smaller effect on the neutrophil count than desflurane [7].

JA Clinical Reports

Increasing the interest rate from 5to8%8% has a smaller effect than fuel cost variations.

Desalination

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two or more effects, use "a smaller effect" to clearly indicate which has a lesser impact. This helps in presenting comparative analyses in scientific reports, business analyses, or general communication.

Common error

Avoid using "a smaller effect" when you actually mean there is no discernible effect at all. "A smaller effect" implies there is an effect, just one that is less pronounced compared to something else. If there is truly no effect, state that directly.

Linguistic Context

A smaller effect functions as a noun phrase typically used as a subject or object within a sentence. It denotes a reduced level of impact or influence. Ludwig examples confirm this usage in diverse scientific, news and media, and formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a smaller effect" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a reduced impact or influence, as confirmed by Ludwig. It finds application across diverse fields, especially in scientific, news and formal communication contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that you are indeed referring to a lesser impact and not the absence of an impact altogether. Consider alternatives such as "a less significant impact" or "a weaker influence" to add nuance. The Ludwig AI analysis underscores the versatility and correctness of this phrase in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a less significant impact

Replaces 'smaller' with 'less significant' and 'effect' with 'impact', emphasizing the reduced importance.

a weaker influence

Substitutes 'effect' with 'influence' and 'smaller' with 'weaker', focusing on the diminished power.

a reduced impact

Replaces 'smaller' with 'reduced', highlighting the diminished magnitude of the effect.

a minimal effect

Replaces 'smaller' with 'minimal', suggesting the effect is very slight or almost nonexistent.

a lessened effect

Uses 'lessened' as an alternative to 'smaller', focusing on the reduction in the effect's intensity.

a slighter effect

Uses 'slighter' to indicate a smaller degree or amount of effect.

a trivial effect

Replaces 'smaller' with 'trivial', implying the effect is unimportant or negligible.

a negligible impact

Substitutes 'effect' with 'impact' and 'smaller' with 'negligible', indicating the impact is so small it can be ignored.

a marginal influence

Replaces 'effect' with 'influence' and 'smaller' with 'marginal', suggesting the influence is at the edge or border of significance.

a limited effect

Uses 'limited' to indicate the effect is restricted in scope or degree.

FAQs

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

You can use "a smaller effect" to compare the impact of different factors, such as "The new policy had "a smaller effect" on employee morale than anticipated".

What are some alternatives to "a smaller effect"?

Alternatives include "a less significant impact", "a weaker influence", or "a reduced impact", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a less effect" instead of "a smaller effect"?

No, "a less effect" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""a smaller effect"" or "a lesser effect".

What's the difference between "a smaller effect" and "a minor effect"?

"A smaller effect" implies a comparison of magnitude, while "a minor effect" suggests that the effect is insignificant in itself. The choice depends on whether you're comparing effects or describing a single effect.