affected the outcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "affected the outcome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how certain factors or events have influenced the result of a situation or decision. Example: "The unexpected weather conditions significantly affected the outcome of the game, leading to a surprising victory for the underdog team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It probably wouldn't have affected the outcome anyway.

The New York Times

That arguably affected the outcome of the case.

Cornell University

"That second goal too much affected the outcome of the semi-final," Martínez said.

The Guardian - Sport

How might cultural differences (available foods, eating habits) have affected the outcome of this data?

The New York Times

"There is a reasonable probability that this failure to disclose affected the outcome of the trial".

The New York Times

And upon reflection, do you think the networks affected the outcome of the election?

The New York Times - Magazine

Elbaek, a former activist, believed that "Borgen" affected the outcome of Denmark's last election.

The New Yorker

"In the end we affected the outcome very significantly," he said in a telephone interview.

The New York Times

Either of these requests might have affected the outcome of the case.

Cornell University

Clearly, the tax frame affected the outcome — very much so for Republicans.

The New York Times - Magazine

How much the trolls affected the outcome of the U.S. election is unclear.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "affected the outcome", ensure the context clearly indicates what specifically caused the effect. This enhances clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

A common mistake is to confuse "affect" (verb) with "effect" (noun). Remember that "affect" means to influence, while "effect" is the result. For example, use "affected the outcome" (verb) and not "effected the outcome" (noun).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "affected the outcome" functions as a causal connector, indicating that a specific factor or event had an influence on the final result or consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

24%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "affected the outcome" is a versatile phrase used to denote influence on a final result. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It appears frequently across diverse contexts, especially in news, scientific, and academic domains. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the specific cause and avoid confusion with the noun "effect". Remember to consider the strength of the influence you wish to convey, as alternatives like "determined the outcome" indicate a more decisive impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

influenced the result

Replaces "affected" with "influenced" and "outcome" with "result", maintaining the core meaning of having an impact.

impacted the conclusion

Substitutes "affected" with "impacted" and "outcome" with "conclusion", emphasizing the effect on the final decision or judgment.

shaped the consequences

Replaces "affected" with "shaped" and "outcome" with "consequences", highlighting the role in determining the repercussions.

determined the end

Uses "determined" in place of "affected" and "end" instead of "outcome", focusing on the act of deciding or controlling the final state.

altered the resolution

Substitutes "affected" with "altered" and "outcome" with "resolution", stressing the change brought about in the solution or settlement.

had a bearing on the upshot

Replaces "affected the outcome" with "had a bearing on the upshot", using a more formal and idiomatic expression to indicate influence.

played a role in the result

Uses "played a role" to indicate influence, and replaces "outcome" with "result", shifting focus to the part something had in achieving the final state.

contributed to the final product

Replaces "affected the outcome" with "contributed to the final product", emphasizing the contribution towards the achieved result.

had an effect on what happened

Replaces "affected the outcome" with a more descriptive phrase, stressing the impact on the events that unfolded.

was instrumental in the decision

Replaces "affected the outcome" with "was instrumental in the decision", highlighting the crucial role played in making the final decision.

FAQs

How can I use "affected the outcome" in a sentence?

Use "affected the outcome" to show that something had an impact on the result. For instance, "The new strategy significantly affected the outcome of the project."

What are some alternatives to "affected the outcome"?

You can use alternatives like "influenced the result", "impacted the conclusion", or "shaped the consequences" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "affected the outcome" or "influenced the outcome"?

"Affected the outcome" and "influenced the outcome" are largely interchangeable. The choice depends on stylistic preference, but both are grammatically correct.

How does "affected the outcome" differ from "determined the outcome"?

"Affected the outcome" implies a degree of influence, while "determined the outcome" suggests a decisive or controlling impact. "Determined" indicates a stronger level of influence.