is used to great effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is used to great effect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe how something is effectively utilized to achieve a desired outcome or impact. Example: "The author employs vivid imagery in her writing, and it is used to great effect, drawing readers into the story."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Hi Hotel, Nice The light that lured the Impressionists south to Provence is used to great effect in this eye-catching property close to the city centre.

Independent

Some in-jokes go over a few heads, but it's a clever construct in which Helm's stage persona – a sweaty, shouty misfit – is used to great effect.

Independent

The pincer-like music is used to great effect in the scene where Tony visits the temporary residence of Garrett and finds him chillingly repeating a sentence Vincent Bourg used ("guilt is like a cancer, you can treat the symptoms but never the cause"), a breadcrumb clue that rivals the "found footage" of Ollie in a house as the most haunting.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The LCD screen has also gained tap-to-wake functionality, which is used to great effect by the Pencil, but can also be used with a finger to bring the screen to life.

TechCrunch

Obviously sex is used to great effect in series like Underworld and Resident Evil, where a sexy protagonist is almost the entire draw of the movie.

Vice

"You Are My Sunshine" is used to great effect leading up to World War II to signal the birth of Nazism.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

These have been used to great effect; facilitating effective, predictable and scalable purifications of fragments and lead/drug-like molecules, for which other techniques sometimes fail.

Drug Discovery Today

We suspect this approach may be very effective (this method has been used to great effect to change alcohol drinking practices [ 38]).

Health Education Research

Social prescribing has already been used to great effect across the country and is becoming more popular.

The Guardian

The internet pressure method has been used to great effect recently.

Independent

These analytics can be used to great effect, potentially enhancing the ability of police to make more informed, less biased decisions about law enforcement.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the successful application of a technique or strategy, use "is used to great effect" to highlight its positive impact and effectiveness. For example, "The subtle use of lighting is used to great effect in creating a suspenseful atmosphere."

Common error

Avoid using "is used to great effect" when the impact is minimal or negligible. Ensure the effect is genuinely significant and noticeable before using this phrase. For example, instead of saying "The new software was used to great effect, saving the team 5 minutes a week," consider "The new software provided a modest improvement in team efficiency".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is used to great effect" functions as a descriptive expression used to highlight the successful or beneficial application of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, as showcased in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

36%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is used to great effect" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood expression used to describe situations where something is successfully applied or utilized to achieve a significant positive outcome. Ludwig AI confirms this. Its prevalence is notable across news, science, and wiki sources. When employing this phrase, ensure that the impact is genuinely significant, and explore alternatives like "is employed effectively" or "is utilized to its full potential" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is employed effectively

Focuses on the act of using something in a way that achieves the desired result.

is utilized to its full potential

Emphasizes maximizing the benefits or capabilities of something.

is leveraged successfully

Highlights the strategic use of something to gain an advantage or achieve a goal.

is wielded with considerable impact

Suggests a powerful and noticeable influence or result.

is put to excellent use

Highlights the quality and benefit derived from the utilization.

is capitalized on advantageously

Indicates taking full advantage of a situation or resource.

is exploited for maximum gain

Focuses on extracting the most benefit, sometimes with a slightly opportunistic connotation.

is harnessed for optimal results

Implies carefully controlling and directing resources for the best outcome.

is implemented with significant outcome

Focuses on the execution and the resulting impact.

is applied to remarkable consequence

Emphasizes the application of something and its noteworthy results.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is used to great effect"?

You can replace "is used to great effect" with alternatives such as "is employed effectively", "is utilized successfully", or "is leveraged successfully", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "is used to great effect"?

Use "is used to great effect" when you want to emphasize that something has been applied or utilized in a way that produces a significant and positive outcome. It's suitable when the results are clearly beneficial and noticeable.

Is "is used to great effect" formal or informal?

"Is used to great effect" is generally considered appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability largely depends on the overall tone and style of your writing or speech.

What are some common examples of how "is used to great effect" is used?

Examples include describing how a particular technique, strategy, or element is implemented successfully to achieve a desired result. For example, "The director's use of slow motion "is used to great effect" in heightening the tension of the scene."