taking effect

USAGE SUMMARY

"taking effect" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe the start of a new policy, procedure, or law. For example, "The new traffic laws are taking effect next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The pill the paramedics gave her was taking effect.

The New York Times - Magazine

The provisions will begin taking effect late this year.

The New York Times - Travel

The law is taking effect in two parts.

The New York Times

It must pass through Parliament before taking effect.

The New York Times

They said they were preparing legal challenges to try to stop them from taking effect.

The New York Times

The E.P.A. has not yet granted the waiver, keeping the regulation from taking effect.

The New York Times

Indeed, three groups say they will file suit to block the law from taking effect.

The New York Times

The poison of the captain's chalice seems to be taking effect on Vaughan's batting.

The Guardian - Sport

"We are not asking Congress to prevent the expanded form from taking effect.

The New York Times - Sports

Judge Schreier had temporarily prevented the law from taking effect while she decided the case.

The New York Times

That's the clock ticking loudly before substantial fare increases and service cuts begin taking effect.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about policies or laws, specify the exact date or conditions under which the change is "taking effect" to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "affect" (a verb meaning to influence) in place of "effect" (here used as a noun meaning result). Remember, something "takes effect", it doesn't "take affect".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking effect" functions as a verbal phrase, specifically a gerund phrase, often used as part of a predicate to indicate the commencement of an action or the start of a change. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage. It describes when something begins to operate or exert influence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "taking effect" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that describes the moment when something new starts to have an influence or become operational. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts. It's especially prevalent in news, business, and legal settings, where specifying the timing of changes is crucial. When using "taking effect", ensure you clarify the specific date or conditions. Avoid confusing it with "affecting", and use synonyms such as ""becoming operative"" or "being implemented" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becoming effective

A more general term for starting to produce a desired result.

becoming operative

Focuses on the transition to an active or functional state.

coming into force

Emphasizes the legal or regulatory aspect of becoming effective.

being implemented

Highlights the action of putting a plan or system into effect.

starting to apply

Indicates the initial stage of a rule or principle being used.

entering into action

Suggests a more dynamic or active commencement of operation.

entering effect

Short and slightly less formal way to define when something become working

getting underway

Implies the beginning phase of an activity or process.

going live

Commonly used in technology, referring to a system or feature becoming operational.

taking hold

Suggests the gradual establishment and acceptance of something.

FAQs

How is "taking effect" used in a sentence?

The phrase "taking effect" typically describes when a new law, rule, or treatment starts to produce results. For example, "The new regulations are "becoming operative" next quarter".

What's a formal alternative to "taking effect"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "coming into force" or "being implemented" to convey a similar meaning with a slightly more elevated tone.

How does "taking effect" differ from "affecting"?

"Taking effect" refers to the start of something new influencing a situation, while "affecting" describes the ongoing process of influencing something. "becoming effective" focuses on the result, while "affecting" highlights the action.

What is the difference between "taking effect" and "in effect"?

"Taking effect" indicates the moment something begins to operate or influence, whereas "in effect" means something is currently operational or influencing. The regulations are "taking effect" next week, meaning they will then be ""becoming operative"".