secondary impact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secondary impact" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it when referring to the indirect or underlying effects of something, rather than the primary or immediate impact. Example: The primary impact of the new policy was a decrease in profits, but the secondary impact was an increase in employee morale due to improved work-life balance.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

But I hope it will have a secondary impact.

The Guardian

"We are beginning to see secondary impact across the country" from the terrorist attacks, said Cynthia Ambler, a Labor Department spokeswoman.

The New York Times

And if you don't have to use Interstate 95, you can probably live anywhere west of the Connecticut River and never feel even a secondary impact of the casino.

The New York Times

A significant number of accident casualties result from a secondary impact that follows an initial accident and the new system brakes the car in order to lessen the risks involved.

Independent

The secondary impact of precipitation is caused by waterlogging.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

But a critical secondary impact is how it will make users without large followings feel loved.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

This curtain remains inflated for several seconds, providing protection from secondary impacts or rollovers.

The New York Times

Shortages are followed by negative secondary impacts, such as more sickness, hunger, and joblessness.

The Guardian

The POC Skull Comp Helmet ($320, www.pocski.com) is designed not only to protect your noggin on impact but to prevent what can often be the more dangerous aftereffects of a fall — the whiplash effect and secondary impacts.

The New York Times - Travel

Sinodinos concedes that the modelling undertaken to date has not taken into account the secondary impacts of increasing the GST, such as the impact on wages and the workforce participation of workers on marginal tax rates.

The Guardian

The scientists also found thousands of subtler disturbances on the surface, which they described as "scars" from smaller secondary impacts that – over thousands of years – churned up the top layer of the moon without creating craters.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the broader consequences of an event or decision, use "secondary impact" to highlight the less obvious or delayed effects. This adds depth to your analysis and demonstrates a comprehensive understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "secondary impact" when you actually mean the immediate or direct effect. "Primary impact" refers to the initial, most obvious result, while "secondary impact" refers to the subsequent, often less visible, consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secondary impact" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the indirect or subsequent effects of an action or event. Ludwig's examples show it used across a range of topics, describing consequences in various domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "secondary impact" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that refers to the indirect or subsequent effects of an action or event. Ludwig's analysis of various sources shows its frequent use across science, news and media, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "subsequent effect" or "indirect consequence" exist, "secondary impact" is preferred for its conciseness and clarity when highlighting the less obvious outcomes. Remember to use this term when you want to show a deeper, more analytical understanding of a situation by addressing not only the immediate effects but also the ripple effects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subsequent effect

Replaces "impact" with "effect", focusing on the temporal sequence of the impact.

indirect consequence

Emphasizes the indirect nature of the result, using "consequence" instead of "impact".

knock-on effect

A more colloquial term suggesting a chain reaction of effects.

downstream effect

Implies a cause-and-effect relationship where the impact is felt later in the process.

ripple effect

Suggests that the impact spreads outwards like ripples on water.

ancillary effect

Highlights that impact is supplemental or subordinate.

side effect

Implies that the impact is an unintended or unexpected outcome.

collateral effect

Implies an impact on a related but not directly involved entity.

derivative impact

Focuses on the impact being derived from another, more primary one.

ensuing effect

Highlights that the impact came after and as a result of something else.

FAQs

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

You can use "secondary impact" to describe the indirect or less obvious effects of an action or event. For example, "The primary impact of the factory closure was job losses, but the "secondary impact" included a decline in local business."

What's the difference between "secondary impact" and "primary impact"?

"Primary impact" refers to the direct and immediate effects of something, while the "secondary impact" refers to the subsequent, often less obvious or delayed effects.

What can I say instead of "secondary impact"?

You can use alternatives like "subsequent effect", "indirect consequence", or "knock-on effect" depending on the context.

Is "secondary impact" a formal or informal phrase?

"Secondary impact" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly used in analytical or descriptive writing across news, science, and business.