have a negative effect on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have a negative effect on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to indicate that something is causing harm or detriment to another thing. For example, "Poor nutrition can have a negative effect on a child's education."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Coagulation of particles is found to have a negative effect on the effective thermal conductivity enhancement.

Nanoscale Research Letters

However, androgens can have a negative effect on wound healing.

Journal of Pediatric Urology

"That will have a negative effect on the yield going ahead," Mr. Van Den Brul said.

The New York Times

And their record is festooned with credit checks which have a negative effect on other lenders.

The Guardian - Money

This will probably have a negative effect on the final grade I receive for my degree.

The Guardian

"I think it will have a negative effect on all of those".

The New York Times

"I just don't see how it's going to have a negative effect on him.

The New York Times - Sports

These bodily expressions of anxiety can have a negative effect on physical health.

Harvard University

Critics also argue that interventionist economic policies will have a negative effect on economic growth.

University of California, Berkeley

He was unsympathetic to early complaints that the show could have a negative effect on children.

The New York Times - Arts

"Hopefully, this will not have a negative effect on the W.N.B.A.," Swoopes said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have a negative effect on", ensure that the subject causing the effect is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "This can have a negative effect", specify "Poor sleep habits can have a negative effect on cognitive function".

Common error

Avoid using "have a negative effect on" repetitively in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "damage", "impair", or "harm" to make your writing more engaging and sophisticated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have a negative effect on" functions as a verb phrase expressing causation. It indicates that one thing or action is causing a detrimental outcome for another. Ludwig examples show this usage across a wide range of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

36%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have a negative effect on" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is causing harm or detriment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely applicable across various contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the specific nuance you wish to convey and use synonyms like "have a detrimental impact on" or simply "impair" to avoid repetition and enhance the sophistication of your writing. Remember to clearly identify the cause and effect to ensure clarity and impact in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a detrimental impact on

Replaces "effect" with "impact" and "negative" with "detrimental", emphasizing the damaging nature of the effect.

have an adverse influence on

Substitutes "effect" with "influence" and "negative" with "adverse", suggesting an unfavorable impact.

be detrimental to

Uses an adjective to express negative effect directly and formally.

have a harmful consequence for

Focuses on the resulting harm, replacing "effect" with "consequence" and using "harmful" to highlight the damaging outcome.

impair

A concise verb that directly indicates the act of weakening or damaging something.

hinder

Implies obstructing or delaying progress, suggesting a negative impact on advancement.

compromise

Suggests weakening or making something vulnerable, implying a negative impact on its integrity or function.

undermine

Indicates a gradual weakening or erosion of something, suggesting a subtle but damaging negative effect.

aggravate

Emphasizes the worsening of an existing situation or problem.

wreak havoc on

This idiom expresses a more dramatic and destructive negative effect.

FAQs

How can I use "have a negative effect on" in a sentence?

Use "have a negative effect on" to indicate that something is causing harm or detriment to something else. For example, "Pollution can "have a negative effect on" public health".

What can I say instead of "have a negative effect on"?

You can use alternatives like "have a detrimental impact on", "have an adverse influence on", or simply use verbs like "damage" or "impair" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "have a negative impact on" or "have a negative effect on"?

Both "have a negative impact on" and "have a negative effect on" are grammatically correct and widely used. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific context. "Impact" might suggest a more forceful or immediate influence.

Can "have a negative effect on" be used in both formal and informal writing?

Yes, "have a negative effect on" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. However, for more formal contexts, consider using synonyms like "be detrimental to" for a more sophisticated tone.