intended effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'intended effect' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to the desired outcome or result of a particular action. For example, "The mayor's proposal had the intended effect of lowering crime rates in the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

The speeches were clearly having the intended effect.

The Guardian - Opinion

Another, perhaps intended, effect of fetal-pain laws may be to make abortions harder to obtain.

The New York Times - Magazine

The lawsuit and the threat of bad publicity may have had the intended effect.

The New York Times

Is its originally intended effect — the reduction of suffering — empirically demonstrable?

The New York Times

This had the unintended, or maybe even intended, effect of squeezing out the maximum price for shareholders.

The New York Times

Cynthia Weidner, an executive at the benefits consultant HighRoads, agreed that the tax appeared to be having the intended effect.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

The trouble is, few of Mr. Straub's intended effects quite come off.

The New York Times - Books

Whatever the ultimate cause, its belligerency is having the exact opposite of any intended effects.

The New York Times

The British philosopher Bertrand Russell said it was the production of intended effects.

The New York Times

By making driving cheaper, the tax benefit may weaken the intended effects of the new traffic-fighting initiatives, Mr. Zupan said.

The New York Times

It remains uncertain, of course, what Congress or the Fed will do and, if they do act, whether their actions will have the intended effects.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intended effect" to clearly denote the planned or expected result of an action or intervention. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "intended effect" when discussing unexpected or negative outcomes. Instead, reserve the term for situations where the outcome aligns with the initial goals or plans. Using it incorrectly can misrepresent the actual result.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intended effect" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a specific outcome that was planned or expected. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase accurately describes the desired result of an action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

45%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "intended effect" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe the planned or desired outcome of an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use in written English and is readily understood across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science sources, the phrase sees usage in academic and professional settings. Related phrases include "desired outcome" and "expected result", offering slight variations in emphasis. When using "intended effect", be sure to differentiate it from unintended consequences to maintain clarity. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its versatile application in conveying the expected results of policies, interventions and more.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desired outcome

Focuses on the outcome rather than the effect.

planned consequence

Emphasizes the planning aspect behind the resulting consequence.

expected result

Highlights the expectation of a specific result.

anticipated impact

Stresses the anticipation of a particular impact.

projected outcome

Indicates a projection or forecast of the outcome.

target effect

Specifies the effect as the target or goal.

purposeful consequence

Highlights that the consequence has a purpose or intention behind it.

deliberate result

Emphasizes the deliberateness of the result.

calculated impact

Shows the impact was thought of, planned, or predicted beforehand.

foreseen effect

Highlights the fact that the effect was seen beforehand.

FAQs

How can I use "intended effect" in a sentence?

You can use "intended effect" to describe the planned or desired outcome of an action. For example, "The new policy had the "intended effect" of reducing traffic congestion."

What are some alternatives to "intended effect"?

Some alternatives include "desired outcome", "expected result", or "planned consequence", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "intended effect" or "unintended consequence"?

It depends on the situation. Use "intended effect" when the outcome aligns with the original plan. Use "unintended consequence" when the outcome is unexpected or not planned.

What is the difference between "intended effect" and "side effect"?

"Intended effect" refers to the main, desired result of an action. A "side effect", on the other hand, is an additional and often unexpected result, which can be either positive or negative.