have a significant effect on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have a significant effect on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when you are describing a situation where something has a major influence. For example: "The introduction of online shopping has had a significant effect on the retail sector."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nonetheless, rationing could have a significant effect on traffic.

The New York Times

can have a significant effect on each virtual machine's performance.

Computer Networks

That could have a significant effect on retirement rates in the future.

The New York Times

He added that the storm would have a significant effect on tourism.

The New York Times

But the specialist music training did have a significant effect on reading accuracy.

The Guardian

The program was also too small to have a significant effect on Europe's capital stock.

The New Yorker

The severity of a patient's illness can have a significant effect on the costs of care.

The New York Times

Changes to the language would have a significant effect on the committees.

The New York Times

If enacted, that restriction would have a significant effect on some companies.

The New York Times

For Microsoft, the shift is expected to have a significant effect on its bottom line.

The New York Times

If not, then the budget's national living wage will have a significant effect on children's homes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have a significant effect on", ensure that the subject of the sentence clearly identifies the cause, and the object clearly indicates what is being affected. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "have a significant effect on" when the impact is minimal or unproven. Overstating the significance can undermine the credibility of your writing. Quantify the effect when possible to strengthen your claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have a significant effect on" functions as a verb phrase expressing causation or influence. It indicates that a subject produces a noticeable or important change in an object. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have a significant effect on" is a widely used and grammatically sound expression for indicating that something has a noteworthy impact. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts. It's particularly prevalent in news, scientific, and academic writing. While versatile, it's important to ensure the significance is justified and that the effect is clearly articulated, as well as consider alternative phrasings to maintain writing variety. Understanding these nuances can help you use "have a significant effect on" effectively and appropriately in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a notable impact on

Replaces "effect" with "impact" and "significant" with "notable", slightly altering the emphasis.

have a considerable influence on

Substitutes "effect" with "influence" and "significant" with "considerable", focusing on the power to change something.

markedly affect

Replaces "significant effect" with "markedly affect", keeping the core meaning but with a different tone.

exert a major impact on

Uses "exert" to indicate applying influence, with "major impact" replacing "significant effect".

greatly influence

Simplifies the phrase by using "greatly" to modify "influence", reducing formality.

have a profound consequence for

Emphasizes the consequence rather than the direct effect, using "profound" to indicate importance.

play a crucial role in

Shifts the focus to the importance of something in a process, rather than a direct effect.

impact heavily on

Uses "impact" as a verb modified by "heavily" offering a more direct and forceful tone.

substantially alter

Focuses on the act of changing something significantly, omitting the "effect on" element.

reshape significantly

Implies a significant change or transformation, removing the direct causal link.

FAQs

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

Use "have a significant effect on" to describe something that produces a notable or important change. For instance, "The new policy will "have a significant effect on" employee morale."

What's the difference between "have a significant effect on" and "have a significant impact on"?

While both phrases are very similar, "impact" often suggests a more forceful or immediate effect compared to "effect". Both are generally interchangeable, but consider the specific nuance you want to convey.

What are some alternatives to "have a significant effect on"?

You can use alternatives like "have a notable impact on", "greatly influence", or "play a crucial role in" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "have a significant effect on" in formal writing?

Yes, "have a significant effect on" is suitable for formal writing. However, ensure that the significance is justified and that the effect is clearly explained. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive, so vary your phrasing with alternatives where appropriate.