has a physical effect on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has a physical effect on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the impact or influence that one thing has on another in a tangible or bodily manner. Example: "The medication has a physical effect on the patient's recovery time, speeding up the healing process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Seema said loneliness has a physical effect on you.

The Guardian

And it has a physical effect on brain function and transmission by altering chemical pathways, like those involving adenosine.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Well seeing people experience loneliness had a physical effect on Jo and she wanted to do something about it".

The Guardian

They think that ultrasound might be used therapeutically as well.The team knew from experiments done by other groups of researchers that ultrasound can have a physical effect on tissue.

The Economist

Brand-name drinks actually have a physical effect on our brains.

Huffington Post

It's not just happiness that seems to have a physical effect on us -- laughter has been shown in research to have health-boosting effects, too.

Huffington Post

A symbol, a word, had a physical effect on my body when I focused on it, and somehow the sound in my ears or the photons between the dictionary page and my eyes got me hard.

Vice

He observed that one of the compounds meperidine, also known as Demerol had a physical effect on mice that was previously observed only with morphine: it induced an S-shaped tail curvature.

SEP

The estates have had a very physical effect on the face of the open landscape.

The New York Times

"But," he said, "when the offending substance is marijuana smoke, which has been known to have a direct physical effect on third parties who inhale it, and which is also illegal, the letter writer's right to demand an end to the offensive conduct would be clear".

The New York Times

They can have a harmful physical effect on you, causing muscle tension, restricted breathing, a decline in coordination, and a general sense of discomfort.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has a physical effect on", be specific about the nature of the physical effect. Avoid vague statements and provide concrete examples or details to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the physical effect. Instead of saying something "has a devastating physical effect on", provide factual descriptions of the impact, such as "causes muscle tension" or "restricts breathing", to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has a physical effect on" functions as a predicate, asserting a tangible or bodily impact of one thing on another. Ludwig AI examples show it describes direct influences, such as loneliness or brand-name drinks affecting a person or their brain.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has a physical effect on" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a tangible impact. According to Ludwig AI, it is often found in news, media, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, specificity is crucial to ensure clarity. Alternatives include "physically impacts" or "exerts a physical influence on", each with slight nuances. While generally neutral, it's essential to avoid overstatements for credibility. Understanding these nuances and best practices ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

physically impacts

Focuses on the direct physical influence, omitting the broader term 'effect'.

exerts a physical influence on

Replaces 'effect' with 'influence' and uses 'exerts' to emphasize the action.

produces a bodily impact on

Substitutes 'physical' with 'bodily' and 'effect' with 'impact'.

has a tangible impact on

Replaces 'physical effect' with 'tangible impact', focusing on the perceptible nature of the effect.

affects the body

Simplifies the phrase by directly stating the effect on 'the body'.

physically alters

Highlights the change brought about, replacing 'effect' with 'alters'.

induces a physical change in

Uses 'induces' to specify causation and 'change' instead of 'effect'.

creates a physical response in

Focuses on the reaction or response, rather than the general 'effect'.

has a physiological consequence for

Replaces 'physical effect' with the more technical 'physiological consequence'.

manifests physically in

Shifts the focus to how something becomes physically apparent or visible.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "exerts a physical influence on" or "produces a bodily impact on".

What is the difference between "has a physical effect on" and "affects"?

"Has a physical effect on" specifies a tangible or bodily impact, whereas "affects" is a broader term that can include emotional or mental impacts as well.

Can "has a physical effect on" be used in scientific writing?

Yes, "has a physical effect on" is appropriate for scientific writing, especially when describing the tangible impacts of a substance or phenomenon. More technical terms like "physiological consequence" may also be suitable depending on the context.

What are some common examples of things that "have a physical effect on" the body?

Common examples include medications, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices. For instance, "medication has a physical effect on the patient's recovery time" or "stress has a physical effect on muscle tension".