as a side effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a side effect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unintended consequence or result that occurs alongside a primary action or effect. Example: "The medication helped alleviate her symptoms, but it also caused fatigue as a side effect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

I dismissed this as a side effect of all those years studying physiology, chemistry and genetics.

The Guardian

As a side effect, the whole world could see the image.

The Guardian - Tech

'The patient can exercise.' " "We just ignore it as a side effect.

The New York Times - Health

Furthermore, a small minority of users experience nausea as a side effect.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One medication had diarrhea as a side effect and it also had constipation".

The New York Times

That would cut emissions, alleviate congestion and, as a side effect, improve land use.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

If it widens inequality as a side-effect, who cares?

The Economist

The death of privacy, the death, almost as a side-effect, of telly, too.

The Guardian - Opinion

The bleeding disorder that killed him was as a side-effect of the ITP.

The Guardian

Other species of mammal prune plants too albeit as a side-effect of eating them.

The Economist

Achieving stable knowledge of such truths would have as a side-effect security against skeptical challenge.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a side effect" when you want to highlight an unintended or secondary consequence of an action, especially when it's important to distinguish it from the primary goal.

Common error

Avoid using "as a side effect" when describing intended outcomes. This phrase is best reserved for consequences that were not the primary goal but occurred nonetheless.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a side effect" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces an unintended or secondary consequence of an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a side effect" is a prepositional phrase used to introduce an unintended or secondary consequence. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically sound and commonly used across various domains, including science, news, and general writing. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects an outcome that was not the primary intention. Alternative phrases include "as an unintended consequence" and "incidentally". Understanding the context is crucial to effectively communicate the nature of the side effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as an unintended consequence

Replaces "side effect" with a more formal term for an unplanned outcome.

as a secondary result

Emphasizes the result being secondary to the main action.

as a byproduct

Suggests that the effect is a natural result of a production process, whether literal or figurative.

incidentally

Highlights that the effect happens in an indirect or unplanned manner.

collaterally

Implies that the effect occurs alongside the main action, often used in more formal contexts.

consequently

Indicates that the effect is a logical result or outcome, but not necessarily intended.

in its wake

Implies that the effect follows the action, like a ship's wake.

derivatively

Suggests that the effect is derived from something else, not directly caused.

attendantly

Highlights that the effect accompanies the main action, often used in formal writing.

auxiliarily

Indicates the effect assists or supplements the main action, which differs from a typical side effect.

FAQs

How can I use "as a side effect" in a sentence?

The phrase "as a side effect" is used to describe an unintended consequence or result that occurs alongside a primary action or effect. For example, "The medication helped alleviate her symptoms, but it also caused fatigue as a side effect".

What are some alternatives to saying "as a side effect"?

You can use alternatives like "as an unintended consequence", "as a secondary result", or "incidentally" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "as a side effect"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and widely used in English to describe an unintended or secondary outcome.

When is it appropriate to use "as a side effect" versus another phrase?

Use "as a side effect" when you want to emphasize that the outcome was not the primary goal. Other phrases like "consequently" or "therefore" indicate a more direct or intended outcome.