it affects somebody

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it affects somebody" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the impact or influence of something on a person or group. Example: "The new policy affects everybody in the organization, so we need to address their concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Because it is quite a rare cancer, until it affects somebody you know, it doesn't interest you".

The Guardian

"It doesn't affect anyone or anybody in here until it affects somebody in here, if that makes any sense," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

I recognize that it affects somebody economically, can affect somebody's personal life and is one big blow to the ego.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

And, a sign cannot produce glare that affects somebody living near it.

The New York Times

His ambition will be to show "how the drug trade affects somebody not involved in it; somebody who – like me – has never seen a gramme of coke in his life".

The Guardian - Books

Vásquez told the Guardian in 2010 that he was setting out to write a novel about "how the drug trade affects somebody not involved in it; somebody who – like me – has never seen a gram of coke in his life".

The Guardian - Books

When I interviewed him two years ago, he was planning a novel that would "show how the drug trade affects somebody not involved in it; somebody who – like me – has never seen a gramme of coke in his life".

The Guardian - Books

I'm not going to make a political decision today that affects somebody's sister or father, because I wouldn't do it to myself".

The New Yorker

And I'm not going to make a political decision today that affects somebody's sister or father, because I wouldn't do it to myself.

Huffington Post

Every decision affects somebody.

The Guardian

With us two, what we do affects somebody else – directly affects somebody else – and what that means is you've got a responsibility.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it affects somebody", ensure the context clearly defines what "it" refers to. Ambiguity can weaken the sentence's impact.

Common error

A common error is confusing "affect" (a verb meaning to influence) with "effect" (a noun meaning a result). Remember, "it affects somebody" describes the action of influencing someone, not the resulting outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it affects somebody" functions as a declarative statement, asserting that a particular subject or situation has an influence on a person. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and conveys a direct impact.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it affects somebody" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate the impact or influence of something on an individual. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, the phrase is relatively rare. Its usage is primarily found in news and media contexts. When using the phrase, ensure clarity in what "it" refers to and avoid confusion with "effect". Alternatives such as "it impacts somebody" or "it influences somebody" can provide similar meanings with varying degrees of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it impacts someone

Replaces "affects" with "impacts", suggesting a more forceful or significant effect.

it influences someone

Substitutes "affects" with "influences", indicating a more subtle or persuasive effect.

it has an effect on someone

Rephrases the sentence to use the noun "effect" instead of the verb "affect", adding a bit more formality.

it bears upon someone

Uses "bears upon" instead of "affects", which is a more formal and less common expression.

it touches someone

Employs "touches" to denote an emotional or personal impact.

it matters to someone

Highlights the importance or relevance of something to a particular person.

it has repercussions for someone

Focuses on the consequences or aftereffects of something on an individual.

it makes a difference to someone

Highlights the impact of a situation in modifying someone's circumstance.

it carries weight with someone

Suggests that something is important or influential to someone.

it leaves its mark on someone

Emphasizes the lasting or memorable effect on an individual.

FAQs

What's the difference between "it affects somebody" and "it impacts somebody"?

While both phrases are similar, "it impacts somebody" often suggests a stronger or more significant effect than "it affects somebody".

Can I use "it affects someone" instead of "it affects somebody"?

Yes, "someone" and "somebody" are generally interchangeable. "Someone" is slightly more formal, but both are grammatically correct.

What are some alternatives to "it affects somebody" that sound more formal?

More formal alternatives include "it has an effect on someone" or "it bears upon someone".

How do I use "it affects somebody" correctly in a sentence?

Ensure that "it" refers to a specific subject or situation. For example, "The new policy affects somebody's salary" is clear, while "It affects somebody without specifying 'it'" is ambiguous.