has a cumulative effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has a cumulative effect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe how individual actions or events add up to create a larger impact over time. Example: "The small changes in our daily habits may seem insignificant, but they have a cumulative effect on our overall health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The simple accretion of detail has a cumulative effect.

The Guardian - Film

That has a cumulative effect year on year.

The Guardian

HAVE SOME PATIENCE Acupuncture often has a cumulative effect.

The New York Times

Gallagher's uncompromising presentation of both the beautiful and the abhorrent aspects of their lives has a cumulative effect.

The New York Times - Books

And I'll have to wait and see if that has a cumulative effect".

Independent

The Nadal forehand has a cumulative effect, wearing down the legs, and thus sapping the competitive will.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"What we're doing can have a cumulative effect".

The New York Times - Magazine

"All these drugs have a cumulative effect on the body".

The New York Times

The report said these factors could have had a cumulative effect on Lopez's emotional state.

The Guardian

As resilient as any individual can be; criticism can have a cumulative effect.

The Guardian

But is it something that had a cumulative effect and had an impact on the African-American vote?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has a cumulative effect" to describe situations where small, consistent actions lead to a significant overall outcome. It's particularly effective when illustrating long-term consequences of repeated actions or exposures.

Common error

Avoid using "has a cumulative effect" when describing events with immediate and noticeable impacts. This phrase is best suited for gradual changes that only become apparent over time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has a cumulative effect" functions as a verb phrase. It describes how a series of actions or events, when combined, produce a significant impact or result over time. Ludwig examples illustrate its usage in various contexts, from health to social change.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has a cumulative effect" is a versatile expression used to describe how repeated actions or small changes build up to create a significant result over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in both News & Media and Science. When writing, remember that this phrase is most effective when illustrating long-term consequences rather than immediate impacts. Alternatives like "builds up over time" or "compounds over time" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. By understanding its proper usage and potential pitfalls, you can effectively incorporate "has a cumulative effect" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accumulates gradually

Emphasizes the slow and steady accumulation of the effect.

compounds over time

Highlights the amplifying nature of the effect as it progresses.

grows incrementally

Focuses on the small, step-by-step growth of the effect.

has a compounding influence

Similar to "compounds over time" but emphasizes influence.

builds up over time

Focuses on the gradual increase or accumulation.

has a progressive impact

Highlights that the impact increases with time

progressively increases

Highlights the increasing nature of the effect.

has an additive impact

Stresses the summing up of individual effects to create a larger one.

the effects gather momentum

Highlights that the impact become stronger as time passes

creates a snowball effect

Implies a rapidly increasing effect, like a snowball rolling downhill.

FAQs

How can I use "has a cumulative effect" in a sentence?

Use "has a cumulative effect" to describe how repeated actions or small changes build up to create a significant result over time. For example, "The daily exercise "has a cumulative effect" on her overall fitness".

What are some alternatives to "has a cumulative effect"?

You can use alternatives like "builds up over time", "compounds over time", or "accumulates gradually" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the nuance you want to express.

Is it correct to say "have a cumulative effect"?

The phrase is "has a cumulative effect". The verb "have" is used with plural subjects. For singular subjects or non-count nouns, use "has".

What's the difference between "has a cumulative effect" and "has an immediate effect"?

"Has a cumulative effect" describes a gradual impact building over time, while "has an immediate effect" refers to a result that is noticeable right away. They are opposites in terms of the timescale of the impact.