smaller effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smaller effect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the magnitude of effects in various contexts, such as scientific studies or discussions about impact. Example: "The new policy had a smaller effect on employee productivity than anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A smaller effect was seen for women.

The Guardian

A smaller effect on viral RNA accumulation was also observed.

Stanford University

A serving of lentils has a slower, smaller effect.

Harvard University

Low glycemic foods have a slower, smaller effect.

Harvard University

The Arctic refuge will probably have an even smaller effect.

The New York Times

There is a similar but smaller effect in the House.

The Washington Post

Another study found a smaller effect, 47percentt.

The New York Times

Filters deposited without the spheres showed a much smaller effect.

Thin Solid Films

Small angles from perpendicular have a smaller effect on power output than larger angles.

Britannica

There is also benefit in sample complexity to adding hidden layers, but this is a smaller effect.

University of California, Berkeley

Experiential processing had a smaller effect on perceptions than motivated reasoning, the influence of pre-existing ideas.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing multiple effects, use "smaller effect" to clearly indicate a relative difference in magnitude. For instance, "While both interventions showed positive results, the second intervention had a "smaller effect" on the overall outcome."

Common error

Avoid assuming that a "smaller effect" is necessarily insignificant. Even a minor impact can be meaningful depending on the context and scale of measurement. Always provide context and quantify the effect size to avoid misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smaller effect" functions primarily as a comparative qualifier. It modifies a noun (effect) to indicate a lesser degree of impact or influence when compared to something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

28%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "smaller effect" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase, commonly employed to denote a reduced level of impact or influence. Ludwig AI indicates its broad applicability across diverse fields, including science, news, and academia. Its function is to qualify and compare the magnitude of effects, with alternatives such as "lesser effect" and "reduced impact" offering nuanced variations. It's important to recognize that while it indicates a lesser degree, a "smaller effect" isn't necessarily insignificant. By providing this context and quantification, writers can enhance clarity and avoid misinterpretations in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lesser effect

Replaces "smaller" with "lesser", emphasizing a reduced degree or extent of impact.

reduced impact

Substitutes "effect" with "impact", focusing on the force or influence exerted.

diminished effect

Employs "diminished" to convey a reduction in size or importance of the effect.

minimal impact

Uses "minimal" to indicate the effect is very small or almost nonexistent.

slight effect

Replaces "smaller" with "slight", indicating a mild or insignificant effect.

weak effect

Uses "weak" to describe the effect as lacking strength or intensity.

limited influence

Replaces "effect" with "influence", focusing on the power to affect something.

marginal consequence

Substitutes "effect" with "consequence", highlighting the outcome or result.

negligible result

Employs "negligible" to suggest the result is so small it's not worth considering.

inconsequential outcome

Uses "inconsequential" to indicate the outcome is unimportant or insignificant.

FAQs

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

You can use "smaller effect" to compare the relative impact of different factors or interventions. For example, "Although both strategies improved performance, the second strategy had a "smaller effect" than the first."

What is a good alternative to "smaller effect"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "lesser effect", "reduced impact", or "minimal influence".

Is it always negative to have a "smaller effect"?

Not necessarily. In some situations, a "smaller effect" might be desirable. For instance, a medication might aim for a "smaller effect" on blood pressure to avoid drastic changes.

How does "smaller effect" differ from "no effect"?

"Smaller effect" indicates there is some measurable impact, but it is less than another factor or intervention. "No effect" implies there is no discernible impact whatsoever. Therefore, there is a considerable difference between the two.