have an effect on something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have an effect on something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the influence or impact that one thing has on another. Example: "The new policy is expected to have an effect on employee productivity and morale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But they did appear to have an effect on something that could be equally important.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In Afghanistan, reality TV is liberating - and however absurd it sounds, the simple, unfamiliar act of voting for someone, and thereby having an effect on something publicly valued, is novel and exciting.

The Guardian - Film

If key EU players speak out categorically against PiS's undemocratic practises, emphasising this is not the way western democracies function, this will surely have an effect on Polish public opinion – something PiS must take account of.

The Guardian - Opinion

Okamoto, who once asserted that "content has priority over form," recalled in 1959 that he had been interested in how his art "would have an effect on society, not only as something aesthetic, but also as a cry or movement in everyday life".

The New York Times - Arts

But "powerful" — that suggests that they achieve something, that they have an effect on the larger world, and honestly, do they?

The New York Times - Arts

She was probably thinking about the occasion, and where she was playing and being in another final, which is always something that does have an effect on the way you feel.

The Guardian - Sport

Lowell said he would divulge information supplied by Abramoff in order to demonstrate the extent of his client's cooperation, something that could have an effect on Abramoff's sentence.

Los Angeles Times

Influence: The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself.

Huffington Post

Influence: Noun -- The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself.

Huffington Post

It does have an effect on us".

The New Yorker

"We certainly have an effect on that.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have an effect on something", ensure that the subject and object are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify what is causing the effect and what is being affected.

Common error

Avoid using "have an effect on something" in overly passive constructions. Opt for active verbs to make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The decision had an effect on the team's morale", consider "The decision affected the team's morale".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have an effect on something" functions as a verb phrase expressing causation or influence. It highlights the action of one entity impacting another, similar to what Ludwig AI suggests.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have an effect on something" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe the influence or impact of one thing on another, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is suitable for a wide range of contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. While alternatives like "influence something" or "affect something" may offer more concise options, "have an effect on something" provides a versatile way to articulate causation and change. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in defining the subject and object to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

influence something

Replaces "have an effect on" with a more direct verb, simplifying the sentence structure.

impact something

Similar to "influence", but emphasizes the strength or significance of the effect.

affect something

A more general term for causing a change in something.

make a difference to something

Focuses on creating a positive or noticeable change.

exert an influence on something

More formal way to express influence.

leave a mark on something

Implies a lasting or memorable effect.

bear upon something

Suggests a relevant or consequential connection.

play a role in something

Indicates involvement in the outcome of something.

have a hand in something

Implies direct or indirect involvement in influencing an outcome.

cause a change in something

Highlights the action of initiating a transformation.

FAQs

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

You can use "have an effect on something" to describe how one thing influences or impacts another. For example, "The new policy will have an effect on employee productivity".

What are some alternatives to "have an effect on something"?

Alternatives include "influence something", "impact something", or "affect something". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "affect something" or "have an effect on something"?

"Affect" is typically used as a verb, while "effect" is often a noun. Therefore, "affect something" is usually more concise. However, "have an effect on something" can be useful for emphasis or stylistic variation.

What is the difference between "have an effect on something" and "make a difference to something"?

"Have an effect on something" is a general statement about influence, while "make a difference to something" implies a positive or significant change. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the direction and magnitude of the impact.