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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
minus effect
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "minus effect" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a weakening or detrimental effect on a situation or object. For example, "The rise in taxes had a minus effect on consumer spending."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Wiki
Alternative expressions(4)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
3 human-written examples
Since some runners adopted mixed landing pattern throughout the barefoot running trials, the combination of such plus and minus effect could therefore generate results comparable to shod running.
One QTL (DBFQTL1) for DBF with minus effect co-located with DBOQTL2.
Science
The cost effectiveness will be estimated using the following ratio: CE ratio = (cost of injection therapy minus cost of usual care)/ effect of injection therapy minus effect of usual care).
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
57 human-written examples
"When one of these deals unravels because of accounting problems, restatements or anything that is going to eviscerate the foundation of the financials in a company, then we may end up having somewhat of a mini tsunami effect with the rest of the Chinese deals that are out there.
News & Media
Somebody told me that if you could send a pulse of light through a colloidal solution, when the exit beam hits a surface, the beam more or less remains sharp (minus the effects of index changes through media), but as the rest of the pulse arrives, it starts becoming increasingly fuzzy, as a result of the rest of the light having to take longer and longer paths (via reflection within the solution).
Winning over audiences from his television debut and expanding his fan base, it all became a mini snowball effect from there for Blanquito.
News & Media
In the second scenario it is assumed that the intervention-minus-comparison effect is zero for participants with missing data.
Science
In the first scenario it is assumed that the same full intervention-minus-comparison effect applies amongst participants with missing data as has been observed amongst their counterparts with observed data.
Science
You can close the lid and generate a mini-greenhouse effect, or use it as a plant plate to collect water.
Wiki
As a function of distance from highway exits and LRT stations, the distance-band coefficients form an inverted-U pattern consistent with a positive longer-range distance decay accessibility effect minus a smaller and shorter-range distance decay disamenity effect.
The latter is the overall stress state minus the effect of average hydrostatic stress, representing the mechanical/stress behavior of a range of porous materials such as rocks.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "minus effect", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reduced or negatively impacted. For example, "The budget cuts had a minus effect on employee morale."
Common error
Avoid using "minus effect" when a more precise term like "negative consequence" or "detrimental impact" would better convey the severity of the situation. "Minus effect" suggests a lessening, not necessarily a complete cancellation or disaster.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "minus effect" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a situation where something is lessened or reduced. As Ludwig AI explains, this usage is correct and can refer to a weakening or detrimental effect.
Frequent in
Science
34%
News & Media
33%
Wiki
33%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "minus effect" refers to a reduction or negative impact, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While grammatically correct, it is relatively uncommon, appearing mostly in science and news contexts. The phrase can be replaced by alternatives such as "negative impact" or "detrimental consequence", depending on the desired level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey. When employing "minus effect", ensure clarity by explicitly stating what is being lessened. Overall, while usable, it is important to be mindful of the potential for stronger, more precise phrasing.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
decreasing effect
Directly replaces "minus" with "decreasing", maintaining similar meaning.
negative impact
Replaces "effect" with a stronger term, "impact", highlighting the adverse nature.
detrimental consequence
Changes "minus effect" to emphasize a negative outcome or result. Broader than the original phrase.
weakening influence
Focuses on the reduction of strength or power that the "effect" has.
lessening outcome
Changes "effect" to the slightly stronger and more explicit 'outcome'.
reducing outcome
Highlights the action of diminishing something; the result is lessened.
attenuating influence
Uses a more formal word, "attenuating", to mean reducing or weakening.
subtractive result
Emphasizes the removal or lessening aspect of the "effect".
mitigating factor
Shifts the focus to something that lessens the negative impact.
offsetting impact
Focuses on neutralizing or counteracting the "effect".
FAQs
How can I use "minus effect" in a sentence?
You can use "minus effect" to describe a situation where something has been lessened or reduced. For example, "The new policy had a "minus effect" on productivity".
What's a good alternative to "minus effect"?
Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "negative impact", "detrimental consequence", or "weakening influence".
Is "minus effect" formal or informal?
The phrase "minus effect" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more precise terminology may be preferable in academic or professional writing.
How does "minus effect" differ from "side effect"?
"Minus effect" refers to a general reduction or lessening, while "side effect" specifically denotes an unintended consequence of a treatment, procedure, or action, which may or may not be negative.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested