less effect

USAGE SUMMARY

'less effect' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used usually when referring to the degree of something, usually referring to the effect of something. For example: My diet has had less effect on losing weight than I had hoped.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Foot-and-mouth has much less effect on people.

The New York Times

If they bounce and roll, wind has less effect.

The New Yorker

"In the attacks, there was less effect on smokers.

The New Yorker

In The Overwhelming he revisits a strife-torn Africa, more bluntly and to less effect.

The Guardian

The winnowing of posterity has had much less effect on the novels of the 20th century.

The Guardian - Books

That's pretty much the line taken by Redmayne but to somewhat less effect.

The Guardian

Many economists believe that changes in tax policy have less effect on spending by affluent households.

The Guardian - Business

The more custodial sentences one is given, the less effect prison has.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Arlaud turns some of the action abstract as well, but to less effect.

The New York Times - Arts

But when the theories concern politically divisive issues, then education has far less effect.

The Guardian

But many experts say Mr. Rumsfeld has had less effect at the Pentagon than on the battlefield.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less effect" when emphasizing the relatively lower significance of something, ensuring your writing clearly conveys the intended degree of impact.

Common error

Avoid using "less" when "fewer" is appropriate. "Less" refers to uncountable nouns, while "fewer" refers to countable nouns. For instance, say "fewer side effects" rather than "less side effects" when you can count the side effects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less effect" primarily functions as a noun phrase indicating a diminished or reduced impact. As Ludwig highlights, it's used to compare the relative degree of influence or consequence between different factors or actions. The examples showcase its use across varied domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less effect" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a reduced or diminished impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to denote a smaller influence in comparison to something else. Predominantly found in scientific and news media contexts, as Ludwig's examples showcase, the phrase serves to communicate a relative degree of impact, fitting well in analytical and descriptive writing. When using "less effect", remember to differentiate it from "fewer effects", which applies to countable nouns, and consider alternatives like "reduced impact" or "diminished influence" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced impact

Emphasizes the reduction in impact rather than effect.

diminished influence

Focuses on the reduction of influence specifically.

weaker result

Highlights a less potent outcome or consequence.

minimal consequence

Suggests the outcome is barely noticeable or significant.

negligible outcome

Indicates the result is so small it can be ignored.

limited effectiveness

Focuses on the reduced capability to produce a desired result.

decreased efficacy

Emphasizes a reduction in the ability to produce a desired or intended result.

lessened consequence

Indicates that the result is not as severe as it could be.

mitigated impact

Suggests the impact has been softened or made less severe.

attenuated effect

Highlights that the effect has been weakened or reduced in intensity.

FAQs

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

You can use "less effect" to describe something that has a reduced impact compared to something else. For example: "The new policy had "less effect" than anticipated."

What's a good alternative to saying "less effect"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "reduced impact", "diminished influence", or "weaker result" as alternatives to "less effect".

Is it correct to say "less effects" instead of "less effect"?

Generally, "less effect" is used when referring to the overall impact. "Less effects" is less common, and you might consider rephrasing to use "fewer effects" if you are referring to multiple, countable specific effects.

What is the difference between "less effect" and "smaller effect"?

"Less effect" usually refers to a reduced overall impact, while "smaller effect" often implies a difference in the magnitude of a particular effect. Both are similar, but the nuance may vary depending on the context.