effect a change

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "effect a change" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express making a significant change or transformation. Example: The new company policy was designed to effect a dramatic change in employee morale.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

I could be trusted to effect a change.

The New Yorker

"You've got to effect a change," Hughes said.

Independent

Could she help effect a change in how literature and language are taught in Scotland?

The Guardian - Opinion

"As private citizens, we have the resources and we think we can effect a change.

The New York Times

Lucas said: "We are not seeking through the transaction to effect a change to our underlying credit-risk profile.

The Guardian - Business

But decades of growth and global travel, along with the cooking show, have begun to effect a change.

The New York Times - Food

To make it interesting, effect is also a verb, meaning make something happen: I hope my book will effect a change in standards of reading and writing.

The Guardian - Books

Dacre and Murdoch are not seeking only to prevent a second referendum but to effect a change in the Conservative party ranks.

The Guardian

I think I am trying to effect a change so large that the people who would be hurt by the change, the liberal machine, have a natural reaction….

The New Yorker

The United States can only hope that aggrieved mustard, tomato and chocolate producers will call their legislators and complain loudly enough to effect a change.

The New York Times

It's not a personnel issue, barring one or two injuries, it's about individuals showing strong leadership and saying: 'I can effect a change here'".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "effect a change", ensure the context clearly indicates what area or aspect is being changed. For instance, "effect a change in company culture" provides better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "affect" (to influence) when you mean "effect" (to bring about). "Affect a change" is incorrect; always use "effect" as the verb in this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "effect a change" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of causing something to be different. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is used to express making a significant change or transformation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "effect a change" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that signifies causing or bringing about a transformation. As Ludwig AI highlights, it’s employed to describe making a significant change. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse applications. While "affect" and "effect" are often confused, remembering that "effect" is the verb in this construction is crucial. Alternatives like "bring about a change" or "implement a change" can be used for variety. In summary, "effect a change" is a versatile and impactful phrase for expressing intentional transformation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bring about a change

This alternative emphasizes the action of causing a change to happen, similar to "effect a change".

implement a change

This suggests putting a change into effect, focusing on the execution aspect.

initiate a change

This highlights the starting or beginning of a change process.

foster a change

This indicates encouraging or nurturing a change to develop.

generate a change

This emphasizes creating or producing a change.

drive a change

This highlights the act of forcefully pushing a change forward.

promote a change

This focuses on advocating for and supporting a change.

induce a change

This suggests causing or bringing about a change, often in a more subtle way.

precipitate a change

This indicates causing a change to happen suddenly or unexpectedly.

catalyze a change

This emphasizes accelerating a change, acting as a catalyst.

FAQs

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

Use "effect a change" to indicate causing or bringing about a transformation. For example, "The new policies are designed to "effect a change" in employee behavior".

What is the difference between "affect a change" and "effect a change"?

"Affect" means to influence, while "effect" means to bring about. Therefore, "effect a change" is correct, while "affect a change" is grammatically incorrect.

What can I say instead of "effect a change"?

You can use alternatives like "bring about a change", "implement a change", or "initiate a change", depending on the context and desired emphasis.

Is "effect a change" formal or informal?

"Effect a change" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly found in professional or academic writing.