far-reaching effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far-reaching effect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an impact or influence that extends over a wide area or has significant consequences. Example: "The new policy will have a far-reaching effect on the economy, affecting various sectors and communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Koch's work had far-reaching effect.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This grievance was to have a far-reaching effect.

The Guardian

Constantine's conversion to Christianity had a far-reaching effect.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Working Group's coverage of what happened in Billings had a far-reaching effect.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's hard to exaggerate the far-reaching effect of Title IX on American society.

The New York Times

Mr. Blair's decision could have a far-reaching effect on Britain's integration with Europe and on Mr. Blair's political career.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

This could have far-reaching effects".

The New York Times

The tussle can have far-reaching effects.

The Guardian

Such drugs could in principle have far-reaching effects.

The New York Times - Science

Studen said, "I think this will have far-reaching effects".

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Gockley's tenure produced other far-reaching effects.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of a decision or event, use "far-reaching effect" to emphasize that the consequences will be felt across a wide scope and for a considerable time.

Common error

Avoid using "far-reaching effect" when describing minor or localized impacts. Save it for situations where the consequences are truly widespread and significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far-reaching effect" functions as an adjectival modifier describing the scope and impact of a noun. As noted by Ludwig, it correctly describes influence extending over a wide area.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

7%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "far-reaching effect" is a phrase used to describe impacts that are broad, significant, and long-lasting. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. The analysis reveals its prevalence across news, encyclopedias, and scientific domains, indicating its utility in objective discussions. To ensure proper usage, it's best employed when describing truly widespread consequences, avoiding overuse in narrow contexts. Alternatives include phrases like "significant impact" and "extensive influence" to vary expression while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wide-ranging impact

An alternative that also uses "impact" instead of "effect" with similar meaning.

significant impact

Replaces "far-reaching" with "significant", suggesting a notable but not necessarily widespread effect.

substantial influence

Replaces "far-reaching" with "substantial", indicating a considerable and important influence.

broad impact

A more concise alternative, where "broad" replaces "far-reaching" to describe the extent of the effect.

extensive influence

Substitutes "effect" with "influence" and "far-reaching" with "extensive", emphasizing the power to affect something.

profound consequence

Uses "profound" to indicate a deep and significant impact, differing slightly in emphasis from "far-reaching".

widespread consequence

Replaces "effect" with "consequence" and "far-reaching" with "widespread", focusing on the result or outcome.

extensive repercussions

Combines the sense of widespread impact with the implication of consequences.

major repercussions

Emphasizes the consequences of an action, implying a significant and often negative effect.

considerable ramifications

Highlights the complex and branching nature of the effects, suitable for more formal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "far-reaching effect" in a sentence?

Use "far-reaching effect" to describe consequences that extend broadly. For example: "The policy change will have a "far-reaching effect" on the entire industry".

What can I say instead of "far-reaching effect"?

You can use alternatives like "significant impact", "extensive influence", or "widespread consequence" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "far reaching effect" without the hyphen?

While understandable, "far-reaching effect" is the preferred and more grammatically correct form. The hyphen combines "far" and "reaching" to modify "effect" as a single adjective.

What's the difference between "far-reaching effect" and "far-reaching effects"?

The singular "far-reaching effect" refers to a single, overarching impact, whereas the plural "far-reaching effects" implies multiple consequences or results stemming from a single cause.