secondary effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secondary effect" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe an outcome of an event or action that is not the primary outcome or result. For example, "The introduction of free trade policies had the unintended secondary effect of increasing the cost of labor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a secondary effect of what has happened.

The Guardian

"It is tough to see the secondary effect yet," Mr. Jackman said.

The New York Times

When the protagonist diffuses this with his move called 'gale'; this causes a secondary effect.

The Guardian - Tech

World War II had a serious secondary effect on the country, however.

Britannica

A secondary effect of the Butler sentence is exhaustion.

The New York Times - Books

"The secondary effect of that is the resulting spillover into the rural areas farther outside of the metropolitan region.

The New York Times

Many who are infected suffer a terrible secondary effect: grotesque enlargement of arms, legs, breasts or genitals, known as elephantiasis.

The New York Times - Magazine

It generates a beam of ultrasound that acts like a long, thin loudspeaker and releases audible sound -- a secondary effect.

The New York Times - Science

We also measure a similar, but secondary, effect for nodes and edges that serve as intermediaries to many transactions.

Nature

Let him do it, not say it.' Such plain talking had a secondary effect.

Independent

Similarly, he noted, the Laron dwarfs have slightly depressed thyroid hormone levels as a secondary effect of being unresponsive to growth hormone.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "secondary effect" to clearly distinguish between primary and additional, often less obvious, outcomes of a situation or action. This helps in providing a more nuanced analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "secondary effect" interchangeably with "side effect" in medical or pharmacological contexts. "Side effect" is more appropriate for unintended consequences of treatments, while "secondary effect" applies more broadly to any less direct outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secondary effect" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to identify and describe results that are not the primary or intended outcome of a particular action or event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "secondary effect" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes an indirect or unintended consequence of an action or event. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and suitable for various contexts, most commonly appearing in news, scientific, and formal business writing. It serves to provide a more thorough analysis by acknowledging less obvious outcomes. When using this phrase, ensure you are distinguishing between primary and additional results, and consider alternatives like ""indirect consequence"" or ""unintended outcome"" depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Indirect consequence

Focuses on the lack of direct causation.

Unintended outcome

Highlights the unexpected nature of the result.

Side effect

A more common and general term for an additional result.

Ripple effect

Suggests a cascading series of consequences.

Knock-on effect

Implies a chain reaction of effects.

Collateral result

Emphasizes that the effect is related, but not the primary one.

Subsequent impact

Highlights the timing of the effect as following the main action.

Ancillary result

Stresses the supporting or auxiliary nature of the outcome.

Incidental effect

Highlights that effect happened casually, or unexpectedly.

Derivative impact

Focuses on how the effect is derived from the original action.

FAQs

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

The phrase "secondary effect" is used to describe a consequence that arises as a result of a primary action or event. For example, "The increase in remote work had a "secondary effect" on the housing market".

What are some alternatives to "secondary effect"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases such as "indirect consequence", "unintended outcome", or "ripple effect" as alternatives to "secondary effect".

Is there a difference between "secondary effect" and "side effect"?

"Secondary effect" generally refers to a less direct consequence of an action, while "side effect" is often used in medical contexts to describe unintended consequences of a treatment or medication. The terms are similar but not always interchangeable.

What is the difference between "secondary effect" and "primary effect"?

"Primary effect" refers to the main, intended result of an action or event, whereas "secondary effect" is an additional consequence that may not have been the main focus. The "secondary effect" is often less obvious or anticipated than the primary one.