an adverse effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an adverse effect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing negative consequences or impacts of an action, treatment, or situation. Example: "The medication may cause an adverse effect on your digestive system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An expired medication may not have an adverse effect, but it's a big risk.

HuffPost

An odds ratio > 1 indicates an adverse effect of corticosteroids.

Critical Care

It has to be upbeat; silence has an adverse effect.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He could have an adverse effect in the team room.

The Guardian - Sport

"The twin loss will have an adverse effect," he said.

The Washington Post

"Anything short of full public access could be construed as an adverse effect".

The New York Times

As entertaining as it was, it certainly had an adverse effect on his management career.

The Guardian - Sport

There is no evidence that broad scope of services has an adverse effect on audit quality.

The New York Times

All of this has an adverse effect on the Green Movement and has decreased overall motivation".

The Guardian

But it is having an adverse effect on the product's broader image and the consumer's waistline.

The Guardian

Also the residents feel that conservationists and ecologists have had an adverse effect on the state.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential risks, clearly specify the cause and effect relationship to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of just saying "the treatment has "an adverse effect"", clarify what aspect is affected and how.

Common error

While "an adverse effect" is generally acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "negative impact", "detrimental consequence", or "harmful influence" where appropriate to enhance readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an adverse effect" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb (e.g., "have", "cause", "produce") or as a subject complement. It indicates a negative or harmful consequence. As Ludwig AI explains, it's correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an adverse effect" is a widely used phrase to denote a negative or harmful consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. The phrase is particularly common in news, scientific, and academic writing. While grammatically sound, it's important to use varied vocabulary to avoid repetition. Consider alternatives such as "negative impact" or "harmful influence". When using the phrase, ensure you clearly specify the cause-and-effect relationship to avoid ambiguity. Being aware of the contexts will greatly improve the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a negative impact

Focuses on the idea of a negative influence or consequence.

a detrimental consequence

Highlights the damaging or harmful nature of the result.

an unfavorable outcome

Emphasizes the disappointing or undesirable result.

a harmful influence

Stresses the potential for damage or injury.

an injurious result

Highlights the aspect of causing harm or damage.

a damaging repercussion

Focuses on the far-reaching and negative effects.

an unwelcome development

Emphasizes the unwanted nature of the result.

a setback

Implies a hindrance or delay in progress.

a complication

Suggests an added difficulty or problem.

a downside

Simply refers to the negative aspect of something.

FAQs

How to use "an adverse effect" in a sentence?

You can use "an adverse effect" to describe a negative consequence or impact resulting from a specific action or situation. For example, "The medication may have "an adverse effect" on your liver."

What can I say instead of "an adverse effect"?

You can use alternatives like "a negative impact", "a detrimental consequence", or "a harmful influence" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey. Each of these phrases offers a slightly different emphasis on the type and severity of the negative outcome.

Which is correct, "an adverse effect" or "a reverse effect"?

"An adverse effect" refers to a negative or harmful consequence, while "a reverse effect" implies an opposite or contrary outcome. They are not interchangeable, as they describe fundamentally different types of results.

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

While both terms describe unintended consequences, "a side effect" is typically used in the context of medications or treatments, while "an adverse effect" can be used more broadly to describe any negative impact resulting from various actions or situations.