an indirect effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an indirect effect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing outcomes or consequences that are not direct or immediate, often in contexts like research, economics, or social sciences. Example: "The new policy may have an indirect effect on employee morale, leading to increased productivity over time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

34 An effect that is not direct is called an indirect effect.

Bioinformatics and Biology Insights

Several analysts said they thought that Leopard would have only an indirect effect on Macintosh sales.

The New York Times - Tech

I think all the excitement that came with this had an indirect effect on what happened".

The Guardian - Sport

"There could be an indirect effect," said Daniel Golden, a lawyer who represents WorldCom creditors in the bankruptcy proceedings.

The New York Times

But they will have only an indirect effect on the biggest borrowing expense for most people -- mortgages.

The New York Times

Although rising house prices do not fuel RPIX inflation directly, they may have an indirect effect.

The Economist

None of that has a direct impact on conservation but all could have an indirect effect.

The New York Times

Yet this abortive French offensive had an indirect effect on the German plan.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the benchmark rate has only an indirect effect on long-term rates.

The New York Times

Tech companies have an indirect effect on billions of people.

TechCrunch

Banks could obviously have an indirect effect.

Swiss Journal of Economics and Statistics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity in your writing, consider using visual aids like diagrams or flowcharts to illustrate the chain of events leading to the indirect effect. This can significantly improve comprehension, especially when dealing with intricate processes or systems.

Common error

Avoid assuming an indirect effect without sufficient evidence or a clear understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Always provide data or logical reasoning to support your claims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an indirect effect" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig, it describes a consequence that is not the primary or immediate result of an action or cause, but rather occurs through an intermediary or secondary mechanism.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an indirect effect" is a versatile term used to describe consequences that aren't immediately obvious but arise through intermediary mechanisms. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse fields like science, news, and business. When using the phrase, it's important to provide evidence for the causal chain and avoid unsupported assumptions. Consider using alternatives such as "a secondary consequence" or "a knock-on effect" to add nuance. The phrase has implications in many different academic fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a secondary consequence

Emphasizes the consequence being less immediate and dependent on another event.

a knock-on effect

Highlights a chain reaction where one event triggers subsequent events.

a ripple effect

Suggests a spreading influence that gradually diminishes over distance or time.

a collateral impact

Focuses on the unintended or side effect of an action or event.

a roundabout influence

Highlights that the way one factor influences the other is not simple or straightforward.

an attenuated effect

Denotes a weaker or diminished influence compared to a direct effect.

a mediated effect

Indicates that the effect occurs through an intervening variable or process.

an ancillary outcome

Specifies that the outcome is supplementary and not the primary goal.

a tangential impact

Implies that the impact is related but not central to the main issue.

a downstream effect

Suggests the effect is a consequence occurring later in a process or system.

FAQs

How can I use "an indirect effect" in a sentence?

You can use "an indirect effect" to describe a situation where one thing influences another through an intermediary. For example, "The policy change had "an indirect effect" on employee morale by affecting their workload."

What's the difference between "an indirect effect" and "a direct effect"?

"A direct effect" is an immediate and obvious consequence, while "an indirect effect" is a consequence that occurs through an intermediary or a series of steps.

What are some alternatives to saying "an indirect effect"?

Alternatives include "a secondary consequence", "a ripple effect", or "a knock-on effect". Each of these conveys a similar meaning but may emphasize different aspects of the relationship.

Can you provide examples of "an indirect effect" in different fields?

In economics, a tax cut might have "an indirect effect" on consumer spending. In biology, a gene mutation could have "an indirect effect" on an organism's development. In social sciences, a policy change may have "an indirect effect" on community relations.