has a negative effect on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has a negative effect on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the impact or influence of one thing on another, particularly in a detrimental way. Example: "The new policy has a negative effect on employee morale, leading to decreased productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's effective but studies have shown it has a negative effect on the brain.[2 ]

WikiHow

Criticism has a negative effect on achievement of goals.

Harvard Business Review

Blackberry's market share spiraled to zero, since Android has a negative effect on its market.

Cornell University

Some evidence suggests that retirement has a negative effect on well-being.

Princeton University

Guilt, even unacknowledged guilt, has a negative effect on the guilty.

University of California, Berkeley

"I think that rising income inequality actually has a negative effect on social cohesion".

The New Yorker

Any process in which an organism has a negative effect on the functioning of the symbiont's cells.

Princeton University

"They are driving a fast fashion agenda that has a negative effect on workers' rights around the world.

The Guardian - Business

Even a temporary lack of food during that crucial time has a negative effect on physical and intellectual development.

The Guardian

(3) Stock price has a negative effect on carbon price.

Petroleum Science

Sector experience has a negative effect on early retirement.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has a negative effect on", ensure the context clearly identifies both the cause and the affected entity to avoid ambiguity. Be specific about the nature of the negative impact for greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences in a way that obscures the agent causing the negative effect. Instead of "Progress has a negative effect on nature", specify who or what is causing that progression: "Deforestation has a negative effect on nature".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has a negative effect on" functions as a verb phrase expressing causation. It indicates that one thing is causing a detrimental outcome on another. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

24%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

6%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has a negative effect on" is a versatile and widely used expression for indicating a detrimental impact. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, from scientific research to news reporting. While alternatives like "adversely impacts" or "negatively influences" exist, "has a negative effect on" offers a balanced and readily understood way to convey negative consequences. Pay attention to the context and specificity for maximum clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

negatively influences

Highlights the influencing aspect, indicating a change in outcome in an undesirable direction.

adversely impacts

Focuses on the negative impact, suggesting a direct and unfavorable influence.

detrimentally affects

Emphasizes the harmful consequences or damage resulting from the effect.

has adverse consequences for

Focuses on the resulting negative outcomes or repercussions.

is detrimental to

Highlights the damaging or injurious nature of the effect.

exerts a negative influence on

Similar to negatively influences but places stress on exerting power.

harms

A more direct and forceful way of saying it has a negative effect, implying damage.

impairs

Implies a reduction in functionality or capability due to the negative effect.

undermines

Suggests a weakening or destabilizing effect on the object being affected.

poses a threat to

Indicates a potential danger or risk caused by the effect.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "has a negative effect on" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "adversely impacts", "detrimentally affects", or "has adverse consequences for".

What are some less formal alternatives to "has a negative effect on"?

In less formal contexts, you could use alternatives like "harms", "hurts", or "messes up".

Is it always necessary to specify what "has a negative effect on" something?

While not always grammatically required, specifying what is being negatively affected provides clarity and context. Vague statements can weaken your argument or message.

Which is correct, "has a negative effect on" or "has a negative affect on"?

"Effect" is typically a noun meaning a result or consequence, while "affect" is usually a verb meaning to influence. Therefore, "has a negative effect on" is the correct usage in most contexts where you're describing a negative impact.