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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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make a positive effect

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make a positive effect" is not correct in standard English; the correct expression is "have a positive effect." You can use it when discussing the impact or influence of an action, decision, or event on a situation or outcome.
Example: "The new policy is expected to have a positive effect on employee morale and productivity."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's important for teachers to meet inspiring educators to serve as a role model for how an educator can make a positive effect on their communities.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Students stated that they experienced a different class environment, and the study made a positive effect on them in terms of effective learning of mathematics.

This low turbulence characteristic makes a positive effect on the shelter effect.

The aim of the study was to determine whether a standardized orientation to basic laparoscopy makes a positive effect on the experience of third-year medical students.

That is, altmetrics tend to be comprised of metrics that can indicate if many people are reading or discussing research, but include few metrics that can indicate if research findings are being utilized and making a positive effect upon the world (Sugimoto, 2015).

Science & Research

Nature

And when you see an academic who's made a positive effect on his life, I don't think you have to say it.

Science & Research

Science Magazine

One of the great things about service is that it can provide a sense of comfort when you see that your contributions have made a positive effect on society.

News & Media

Huffington Post

That's why the clothes pin turns out to the linchpin of any argument about whether the way we care for our clothes really makes a positive effect on our planet.

News & Media

HuffPost

In addition to the 50 on-the-job trainings, the 12 Train-of-Trainers has made a positive effect on the performance of staff by exposing them to modern technology and procedures in water quality testing, monitoring, awareness campaigns and community mobilization in 8 governorates.

Formal & Business

Unicef

Sometimes it's hard to see the forest through the trees, but it's important in every aspect of your life to remember you are having an effect and to make it a positive effect".

News & Media

Huffington Post

This indicates that decisions which are made today have a positive effect only in the long run.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "have a positive effect" instead of "make a positive effect" for grammatically correct English.

Common error

Avoid using the verb "make" when referring to the impact or influence something has. The correct phrasing is to use "have" to indicate that something possesses or produces a certain effect.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

80%

Authority and reliability

2.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a positive effect" functions as a verb phrase intended to express the action of causing a beneficial change or influence. However, as pointed out by Ludwig AI, this is grammatically incorrect. It is often used to describe the impact or outcome of an action or decision.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "make a positive effect" is used to express the intention of causing a beneficial change, it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI indicates, the correct phrasing is ""have a positive effect"". Though examples exist in various contexts, including news, science, and business, writers should use the grammatically correct alternative to maintain credibility and clarity. Alternatives like ""create a positive impact"" or ""produce a beneficial outcome"" can also be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "make a positive effect"?

The correct phrasing is to "have a positive effect". The verb "have" is used to indicate that something possesses or produces a certain effect.

What can I say instead of "make a positive effect"?

You can use alternatives like "create a positive impact", "produce a beneficial outcome", or "generate a favorable result" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "make a positive effect" or "have a positive effect"?

"Have a positive effect" is the grammatically correct phrase. "Make a positive effect" is considered incorrect.

How can I use "have a positive effect" in a sentence?

Example: "The new policy is expected to "have a positive effect" on employee morale and productivity."

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Authority and reliability

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: