collateral effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "collateral effect" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to an unintended or secondary impact of an action or event. Example sentence: The new tax laws had a collateral effect on small businesses, causing many to struggle financially.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Once conquered, however, they have the surprising collateral effect of reducing exertion.

The New Yorker

A collateral effect of the Iraq war was Libya's nuclear disarmament.

The Washington Post

With the aim of mitigating this undesirable collateral effect, we group the elements into blocks.

Advances in Engineering Software

Google's social circumvention had a collateral effect: it enabled Google to place its ordinary advertising tracking cookie.

Stanford University

Even if a nominated film or actress never makes it to the podium, the spectacle-rich Oscars have the collateral effect of elevating impressive works.

The New York Times

The ban on N.I.H. financing has also had the collateral effect of relegating the technology to the private sector, where embryo research can proceed unencumbered.

The New York Times - Magazine

A hypothesized benefit of this approach is that mand training has a collateral effect on nontargeted behavior, though empirical support for this hypothesis is currently tenuous.

Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders

"The famous viral photos attracted public attention, at the expense of the victims of crimes that were never photographed … they had the collateral effect of abetting the authorities," she writes.

The Guardian - Books

A final factor likely to aggravate tensions is that the heavily-indebted Generalitat has become shut out of the bond markets – an inevitable collateral effect of the Spanish crisis.

The Guardian - Opinion

A collateral effect of the attack is that internet users accustomed to high-speed connections may have seen those slow down, said James Blessing, a member of the UK Internet Service Providers Association ISPAPA) council.

The Guardian - Tech

On the one hand, both these transporters appear to be important for cellular processes other than multidrug resistance, and therefore resistance to xenobiotics could represent a collateral effect of the transporter's function.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone of "collateral effect" which often suggests a negative or unintended consequence. Choose other alternatives if the effect is positive.

Common error

Avoid using "collateral effect" when describing a direct and intended outcome. The phrase is best suited for unintended, secondary consequences. A direct result should be phrased as a "direct result" or "primary effect".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "collateral effect" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a secondary or unintended consequence of an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples showcasing its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "collateral effect" is a valid and commonly used phrase that describes an unintended or secondary consequence of an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across various contexts. As the examples show, this phrase appears frequently in news, scientific, and formal business writing. When writing, remember that while generally neutral, the phrase often implies a negative or unintended outcome, therefore it's important to use it appropriately, and be careful not to confuse it with direct causation. Alternatives like "secondary consequence" or "unintended outcome" may be more suitable depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Secondary consequence

Replaces 'effect' with 'consequence', emphasizing the result is not primary.

Unintended outcome

Highlights the unplanned nature of the result.

Indirect result

Focuses on the roundabout path by which the effect occurred.

Byproduct

Implies the effect is an incidental result of a larger process.

Side effect

A common synonym, particularly used in medical contexts, implying an additional, often negative, consequence.

Ripple effect

Suggests a cascading series of consequences stemming from an initial action.

Unforeseen ramification

Emphasizes that the consequence was not anticipated and may have broad implications.

Knock-on effect

Similar to ripple effect, highlighting a chain of reactions.

Concomitant result

Suggests the effect happens at the same time and is connected to the primary action.

Incidental consequence

Highlights that the consequence is not the main purpose or result.

FAQs

How can I use "collateral effect" in a sentence?

Use "collateral effect" to describe an unintended or secondary consequence of an action or event. For example: "A "collateral effect" of the new policy was a decrease in employee morale."

What are some alternatives to "collateral effect"?

You can use alternatives such as "secondary consequence", "unintended outcome", or "side effect" depending on the specific context.

Is "collateral effect" always negative?

While "collateral effect" often implies a negative or undesirable outcome, it can also refer to neutral or even positive unintended consequences. The context usually determines the connotation.

What is the difference between "collateral effect" and "direct result"?

"Collateral effect" refers to an unintended or secondary consequence, while "direct result" describes an outcome that was specifically intended or caused directly by an action. They are not interchangeable.