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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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affects a much

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "affects a much" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It seems to be an incomplete thought and lacks context to determine its intended use. Example: "The new policy affects a much larger group than anticipated."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Although Somalia is the worst-affected country, the crisis affects a much wider region, including the northern part of Kenya and southern parts of Ethiopia, Djibouti, the northern Karamoja region of Uganda, and parts of South and North Sudan, where large areas are classified as being in a state of humanitarian emergency.

News & Media

The Guardian

"This affects a much broader segment of women," said Tarina Keene, executive director of Naral Pro-Choice Virginia.

It seems you've sought to interpret it as a document that affects a much larger society than just those who are part of its political system.

News & Media

The New York Times

There is plenty of evidence that batting average matters — but it's not the only thing that matters, and if you set up a study that demands to see proof of how this one little thing affects a much bigger and more complicated thing like winning the World Series, you're liable to miss it.

News & Media

The New York Times

By contrast, about $2.4 billion per year is spent on AIDS, which affects a much smaller number of people.

Science & Research

Science Magazine

Infertility has many causes apart from presumed age-dependent impairment of mitochondria, and affects a much wider group of prospective patients.

News & Media

Huffington Post
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

However, the need for more general instruction in ganita must certainly have affected a much broader segment of the population.

Encyclopedias

Britannica

But research linking such genetic variations to more subtle health effects, which might affect a much broader swath of the population, is only just beginning.

Likewise, removing barriers between different environments will let innovations that might otherwise be limited to one world affect a much broader audience.

The last of the Carnegies left the 1902 house in 1946, but Carnegie, a steel magnate, affected a much wider swath of his hill than just his Fifth Avenue blockfront.

News & Media

The New York Times

"Our oil addiction is increasingly affecting a much wider swath of Americans than in the past, whether it is fracking in the Catskills or the oil spill off the Gulf Coast," she said.

News & Media

The New York Times
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that when using "affects", you complete the phrase with a clear indication of the extent or manner of the effect. For example, "affects a much larger area" or "affects a much broader range of people".

Common error

Avoid using "affects a much" without specifying what is being affected or the degree of the effect. This can lead to ambiguity and weaken your writing. Always complete the thought to ensure clarity.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

3.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "affects a much" functions as an incomplete verb phrase. It requires additional words to specify what is being affected and to what degree. As Ludwig AI points out, it's an incomplete thought.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

59%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "affects a much" is grammatically incomplete and requires additional context to convey a clear meaning. While it appears in various sources like The New York Times, The Guardian and Huffington Post, its usage is often part of a larger, more complete phrase. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.

Alternatives such as "significantly impacts", "greatly influences", or "has a major effect on" provide more complete and grammatically sound options. When using "affects", ensure you complete the phrase to avoid ambiguity and enhance clarity.

FAQs

How can I use the word "affects" correctly in a sentence?

Ensure the sentence is complete and clearly states what is being affected and to what extent. For example, "The policy "affects a significant portion" of the population" is clearer than just saying "affects a portion".

What are some alternatives to using "affects a much"?

Instead of "affects a much", consider using phrases like "significantly impacts", "greatly influences", or "has a major effect on" to convey a more complete meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "affects a much" by itself?

No, "affects a much" is grammatically incomplete. It needs to be followed by additional words to specify what is being affected and to what degree. For instance, "affects a much larger area" is grammatically sound.

What's the difference between "affects a much" and "affects significantly"?

"Affects significantly" is grammatically correct and means to have a noteworthy impact, whereas "affects a much" is incomplete and requires additional context to clarify the extent or nature of the impact.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

3.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: