minor effect

USAGE SUMMARY

"minor effect" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the smaller outcome or result of an action or situation. For example, "The drug had a minor effect on her symptoms."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There will be a minor effect on recruitment.

The Guardian

MIEX treatment had only a minor effect on the LI.

Desalination

Water temperature had minor effect on total chlorine concentration.

Journal of Food Engineering

The number of name interpreters had a relatively minor effect.

Social Networks

Spray distance showed minor effect on the Young's modulus.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Variations in membrane thickness have a minor effect on jpeaka.

Electrochimica Acta

Financial incentives usually influence people's actions, but in this case they have a minor effect.

The New York Times

Perhaps there's a minor effect, but I'm not a big believer in man-made climate change.

The Washington Post

But this would be a minor effect in this case, since neither production nor consumption would be much affected.

The New York Times

In the chimeric virus with P32del, the addition of L31F conferred a minor effect on the HCV life cycle.

Nature

The lower ratings have only a minor effect on the amount of interest Citicorp pays to borrow money.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "minor effect", ensure the context clearly establishes what the effect is minor relative to. This provides clarity and prevents misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "minor effect" when the impact is genuinely significant. This can mislead readers and undermine the credibility of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minor effect" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or complement in a sentence. It describes a result or outcome that is of limited significance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

73%

News & Media

22%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "minor effect" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a limited or insignificant impact. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's commonly found in scientific and news contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context makes clear what the effect is minor relative to, avoiding overstating its significance. Alternatives like "slight impact" or "minimal influence" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight impact

Focuses on the small degree of influence or consequence.

small impact

Directly indicates the reduced size of the effect.

minimal influence

Highlights the limited power to affect something.

marginal impact

Suggests that the impact is barely noticeable or significant.

negligible consequence

Emphasizes the unimportance of the result.

limited effect

Stresses the restricted nature of the impact.

modest effect

Indicates that the effect is moderate and not substantial.

inconsequential outcome

Highlights that the result is not important or impactful.

trivial impact

Implies the effect is insignificant and unimportant.

subtle effect

Focuses on the understated or delicate nature of the effect.

FAQs

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

You can use "minor effect" to describe something that has a small or insignificant impact. For example, "The new policy had a "minor effect" on employee morale."

What are some alternatives to "minor effect"?

Alternatives include "slight impact", "minimal influence", or "negligible consequence", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a minor affect" instead of "a minor effect"?

No, "affect" is a verb meaning to influence, while "effect" is a noun meaning a result or consequence. The correct phrase is "a minor effect."

What's the difference between "minor effect" and "major effect"?

"Minor effect" indicates a small or insignificant impact, while "major effect" indicates a large or significant impact. The choice depends on the degree of influence you want to convey.