examine the effect of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'examine the effect of' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when talking about investigating the consequences of something. For example, "This paper will examine the effect of rising unemployment on mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We examine the effect of contraception in preventing H.I.V. in Zimbabwean women.

The New York Times - Science

We therefore sought to examine the effect of EC- and pronephros-specific inhibition of tmem33.

Nature

To examine the effect of uncorrected astigmatism in older adults.

Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery

We therefore also examine the effect of technology spillovers on bond and loan spreads.

Columbia University

Co-culture experiments were used to examine the effect of sunitinib pretreatment on endothelial cell growth.

Stanford University

Cox regression was performed to examine the effect of baseline characteristics on post-transplant survival.

Stanford University

[T]he courts should be astute to examine the effect of the challenged legislation.

Cornell University

We examine the effect of the largest anti-poverty workfare program in world: NREGA in India.

Harvard University

This study, the authors write, is the first to examine the effect of vocal pitch on Darwinian fitness in humans.

The New York Times - Science

In any event, Dr. Prasad decided to examine the effect of variations in the thickness of the fireproofing.

The New York Times

But, Mr. Truitt said, the study did not examine the effect of using liquid assets to pay estate taxes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, specify the method or approach used to "examine the effect of", such as "through statistical analysis" or "using a controlled experiment".

Common error

Avoid implying direct causation when "examining the effect of" something, especially if the evidence only suggests correlation. Use cautious language to acknowledge other potential factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "examine the effect of" functions as a verbal phrase introducing the purpose of a study or analysis. It sets the stage for investigating the relationship between two or more variables, as shown in Ludwig's examples across different domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

66%

Academia

19%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "examine the effect of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to introduce the investigation of a cause-and-effect relationship. As indicated by Ludwig, it is most common in scientific and academic contexts, but also appears in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by defining variables and acknowledging potential confounding factors. While "impact" can be used interchangeably with "effect", it often implies a stronger consequence. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "examine the effect of" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

investigate the impact of

Replaces "examine" with "investigate" and "effect" with "impact", emphasizing a deeper inquiry into the consequences.

analyze the influence of

Substitutes "examine" with "analyze" and "effect" with "influence", focusing on the power to affect something.

assess the consequences of

Uses "assess" instead of "examine" and "consequences" instead of "effect", highlighting the evaluation of results.

study the relationship between

Focuses on the connection or association between two or more things, replacing "examine the effect of."

determine the role of

Emphasizes the function or part played by something, instead of directly examining its effect.

explore the repercussions of

Replaces "examine" with "explore" and "effect" with "repercussions", suggesting a broader and more in-depth investigation of the aftereffects.

evaluate the outcome of

Uses "evaluate" instead of "examine" and "outcome" instead of "effect", emphasizing the measurement and judgment of the result.

scrutinize the result of

Implies a very detailed and careful examination of the consequences or outcome.

consider the implications of

Focuses on the potential consequences and significance of something, replacing a direct examination of the effect.

delve into the matter of

Indicates a thorough and detailed investigation into the subject or issue, instead of just examining the effect.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "examine the effect of" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "investigate the impact of" or "analyze the influence of" instead of "examine the effect of".

What is a simple way to explain "examine the effect of"?

A simple explanation is to "study how something changes something else". For example, "examine the effect of sunlight on plant growth" means studying how sunlight affects plant growth.

Is it better to use "impact" or "effect" in "examine the impact/effect of"?

Both "impact" and "effect" are acceptable. "Effect" is more general, while "impact" often suggests a stronger or more significant consequence. The choice depends on the specific context and the degree of influence you want to convey.

What's the difference between "analyze the effect of" and "examine the effect of"?

"Analyze the effect of" implies a more in-depth and detailed study, often involving quantitative methods, while "examine the effect of" suggests a broader, potentially more qualitative investigation.