had a negative effect on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had a negative effect on" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "The economic downturn had a negative effect on small businesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It had a negative effect on our image".

The New York Times

This has had a negative effect on our community.

The Guardian

It had a negative effect on my team.

The Guardian

It had a negative effect on how we reacted to our partners".

The Guardian

In fact, the appointment of MPs to directorships had a negative effect on bank equity returns.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Obama," he told me, "has had a negative effect on racial polarization".

The New York Times

He also acknowledged that reduced playing time had a negative effect on his attitude.

The New York Times - Sports

Dogs and people had a negative effect on bird presence.

Landscape and Urban Planning

Increase in pH had a negative effect on fluorene sorption.

Geoderma

It was lowest in Asia, where it had a negative effect on trade balance.

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

For more than ~8 tree species, species richness had a negative effect on tree size heterogeneity.

Forest Ecosystems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had a negative effect on", ensure the subject causing the effect is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of "The policy had a negative effect on the project", specify "The new policy had a negative effect on the project's timeline".

Common error

Avoid using "had a negative effect on" repetitively in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms such as "harmed", "impaired", or "undermined" to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had a negative effect on" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that the subject caused a detrimental impact on something else. This is supported by Ludwig, which validates its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had a negative effect on" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate a detrimental impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in scientific and news reporting where objectivity is crucial. To improve your writing, ensure the subject causing the negative effect is clearly identified, and avoid repetitive use by employing synonyms like "negatively impacted" or "adversely affected". This will enhance clarity and engagement while maintaining a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adversely affected

Uses a different adjective to describe the type of effect, maintaining a formal tone.

negatively impacted

Replaces the entire phrase with a single verb, simplifying the structure.

proved detrimental to

Emphasizes the damaging nature of the effect, using a more formal vocabulary.

exerted a negative influence on

Focuses on the influence aspect of the effect, rather than direct causation.

harmed

A shorter and more direct verb conveying the negative impact.

impeded

Highlights the hindering or obstructing nature of the negative impact.

undermined

Suggests a weakening or destabilizing effect.

compromised

Implies a reduction in quality or effectiveness due to the negative effect.

took its toll on

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the damaging cumulative effect.

created problems for

Simplifies the language to describe the negative effect in terms of causing issues.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "had a negative effect on"?

You can use alternatives like "negatively impacted", "adversely affected", or "proved detrimental to" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "affect" or "effect" in the phrase "had a negative effect on"?

In this phrase, "effect" is correct because it functions as a noun. "Affect" is a verb and would be used differently, such as "The decision negatively affected the team".

How can I make the phrase "had a negative effect on" more specific?

Specify the area that was negatively affected. For example, instead of saying "The changes had a negative effect", say "The changes had a negative effect on employee morale" or "The changes had a negative effect on project timelines".

What is the difference between "had a negative effect on" and "had a positive effect on"?

"Had a negative effect on" implies a detrimental or harmful impact, while "had a positive effect on" implies a beneficial or helpful impact. They are antonyms, representing opposite outcomes.