material effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "material effect" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal, financial, or scientific contexts to refer to a significant or substantial impact or consequence of an action or event. Example: "The changes in the policy had a material effect on the company's financial performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But, if genuine, Lane's lawyers believe it would have a material effect on their client's appeal.

The Guardian

He said it would not have a material effect on Allstate's results.

The New York Times

And Mr. Pilla said the settlement would not have a material effect on Microsoft's financial results.

The New York Times

He said the move was not expected to have a material effect on earnings.

The New York Times

The question is if this has any material effect," he said.

The Guardian - Business

More immediately, the online companies report the South Australian tax would have a "material" effect on their operations, he says.

The Guardian

The transaction is unlikely to have a material effect on Johnson & Johnson's revenue or earnings, the companies said.

The New York Times

The troubles at those businesses are not expected to have a material effect on PepsiCo's business, company officials said.

The New York Times

KPMG concluded that the acts in question would have a material effect on the financial statements of the company.

The New York Times

Terms were not disclosed, and Gillette said the transaction would not have a material effect on its financial results.

The New York Times

It will be more difficult to prove the report had a material effect on the company or its shares.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial reports or legal implications, use "material effect" to denote a change significant enough to influence decisions or outcomes. For instance: "The accounting error had a "material effect" on the company's reported earnings."

Common error

Avoid using "material effect" casually. The term implies a specific threshold of impact, not just any change. For example, saying "The new software had a "material effect" on employee morale" might be an overstatement if the change is minor or temporary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "material effect" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a verb or follows a preposition, describing the extent or significance of an impact. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use in describing consequences or influences across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "material effect" is a commonly used noun phrase that signifies a substantial or noteworthy impact. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability across diverse fields such as news, science, and formal business communications. Its purpose is to highlight the significance of a change or outcome. The phrase's formal tone makes it suitable for professional and academic settings. When using "material effect", remember that it denotes a significant threshold of impact, not just any minor change. Consider alternatives like "substantial impact" or "significant consequence" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial impact

Replaces "material" with "substantial", emphasizing the significance of the effect.

significant consequence

Substitutes "effect" with "consequence", highlighting the result or outcome of an action.

considerable influence

Uses "influence" instead of "effect", focusing on the power to affect something.

notable repercussions

Replaces "effect" with "repercussions", suggesting a wider range of impacts.

marked impact

Uses "marked" to describe the impact, indicating a clear and noticeable effect.

pronounced effect

Emphasizes the clarity and visibility of the effect.

tangible result

Focuses on the concrete and measurable outcome of an action.

meaningful change

Highlights the importance and value of the alteration or shift caused.

important development

Emphasizes the significance of an event or occurrence.

substantial alteration

Focuses on the degree to which something has been changed.

FAQs

How is "material effect" typically used in financial contexts?

In financial reporting, "material effect" refers to an event or omission that is significant enough to influence the economic decisions of users of financial statements. It's a key concept in auditing and accounting standards.

What's a "substantial impact" on a project?

While both phrases suggest a notable change, "material effect" implies a level of importance that could change a business decision. "Substantial impact" might be used in a less regulated context.

How can I determine if something has a "material effect"?

Assessing whether an event has a "material effect" often requires professional judgment, considering both quantitative and qualitative factors. It's not always a clear-cut calculation and may depend on the specific context and industry standards.

What are some alternatives to "material effect"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "significant consequence", "substantial impact", or "considerable influence". The best choice will depend on the specific nuance you want to convey.