may adversely affect

USAGE SUMMARY

"may adversely affect" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something could have a negative impact or harm on a situation or person. Example: The new company policy regarding work hours may adversely affect employee morale.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Higher temperatures may adversely affect the flavor of olive oil.

The New York Times

For one, the screening test may adversely affect some women.

Harvard University

Chronic exposure may adversely affect liver function in humans.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Degenerated mesh may adversely affect the deformation performance.

Graphical Models

Prolonged analgesic consumption may adversely affect kidney function.

American Journal of Kidney Diseases

If not appropriately handled, it may adversely affect individual emotions.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Delay in the surgical intervention may adversely affect the prognosis.

The Spine Journal

Carrier gas composition may adversely affect the output from vaporizers.

British Journal of Anaesthesia

However, antibiotics may adversely affect the normal vaginal bacterial flora.

Personalized Medicine Universe

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) may adversely affect fetoplacental interaction.

Placenta

I.S.D.S. allows corporations to sue governments over laws that may adversely affect "expected future profits".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While appropriate for formal writing, simpler alternatives might be better for general audiences.

Common error

Avoid using "may adversely affect" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "might hurt" or "could be bad for" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may adversely affect" functions as a hedge, expressing a potential negative consequence without stating it as a certainty. Ludwig provides numerous examples across various domains, confirming its role in indicating possible adverse effects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may adversely affect" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to express the potential for negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its function as a hedge, indicating caution without absolute certainty. It finds frequent use in science, news, and formal business contexts. Related phrases include "may negatively impact" and "could harm", offering alternative ways to express similar concerns. When using this phrase, it's essential to clearly define the subject and object to avoid ambiguity. While suitable for formal writing, simpler alternatives may be preferred in more casual settings. As a phrase, it serves to communicate potential risks and encourages careful consideration of possible detrimental effects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may negatively impact

Changes "adversely affect" to a more direct expression of negative impact.

could worsen

Replaces "adversely affect" with "worsen", directly indicating a decline in quality or condition.

may be detrimental to

Uses a more formal tone with "detrimental", emphasizing harm or damage.

could harm

Replaces the formal "adversely affect" with a simpler and more direct verb.

might jeopardize

Implies putting something at risk.

might impair

Substitutes "adversely affect" with "impair", suggesting a weakening or damaging effect.

could undermine

Suggests a weakening effect, often in a gradual or subtle way.

might pose a risk to

Emphasizes the potential danger or hazard involved.

may hinder

Replaces "adversely affect" with "hinder", indicating obstruction or delay.

may complicate

Indicates that something may make a situation more complex and difficult.

FAQs

How to use "may adversely affect" in a sentence?

Use "may adversely affect" to indicate a potential negative impact. For example, "Increased screen time may adversely affect children's eyesight."

What can I say instead of "may adversely affect"?

You can use alternatives like "may negatively impact", "could harm", or "might impair" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "may adversely affect" or "can adversely affect"?

"May adversely affect" indicates a possibility, while "can adversely affect" suggests a capability. "May" is often more appropriate when discussing potential outcomes.

What's the difference between "may adversely affect" and "will adversely affect"?

"May adversely affect" suggests a possibility, while "will adversely affect" indicates a higher degree of certainty regarding the negative impact.