that took effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that took effect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the moment when a law, policy, or agreement becomes active or enforceable. Example: "The new regulations that took effect last month have significantly improved safety standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It updates a similar accord that took effect in 2002.

The New York Times

Then Mr. Gonzalez championed 66percentt average fee increases that took effect last July.

The New York Times

New Hampshire addressed cellphone use under a "distracted driving" law that took effect Jan . 1 , 2002

The New York Times

A state law that took effect on Jan . 1allows the exemptions as a local option.

The New York Times

What about the new freedoms on pensions that took effect a year ago?

The Guardian - Business

A Michigan law that took effect on Sept. 1 forbids assisted suicide.

The New York Times

The aims are in line with the new global development goals that took effect this year.

The Guardian

To make these pursuits easier, Luxembourg passed a space law that took effect this summer.

The New York Times - Science

Major tax law changes that took effect last year are impacting people's beloved refunds.

The Washington Post

A second line of defence that took effect immediately would therefore be desirable.

The Economist

A law that took effect in August requiring full screening does not apply.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For increased formality, consider replacing "that took effect" with "that came into force" or "that became effective" especially in legal or official documents.

Common error

Avoid assuming "that took effect" always implies a positive outcome. While it indicates something became operational, it doesn't guarantee the desired result. Always ensure the context clarifies the actual impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that took effect" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun (usually a law, regulation, or policy). It specifies the point in time when the noun began to have an impact or become operational. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is considered grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that took effect" is a common and grammatically correct relative clause used to specify when a law, regulation, or policy became operational. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news media and formal business settings. While the phrase itself is neutral, the specific tone and formality can be adjusted by choosing synonyms like "that came into force" (more formal) or "that went live" (more informal). When using this phrase, it is important to provide clear context and specify the date when the event occurred to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that became effective

Uses 'became effective' for a more direct synonym, emphasizing the result of becoming active.

which came into force

Replaces 'took effect' with 'came into force', offering a more formal and legalistic tone.

that was implemented

Focuses on the action of 'implementation' rather than the effect of becoming active.

that was enacted

Highlights the legislative process, emphasizing the formal approval of something.

that began operating

Shifts the focus to the operational aspect, suitable for describing systems or processes.

that commenced

Replaces "took effect" with "commenced", slightly more formal.

that was activated

Emphasizes the action of activating something, making it live or ready.

that started operating

Similar to 'began operating' but with a clearer emphasis on the start of operations.

that went live

Offers an informal alternative, suitable for describing software or online services.

which started

A simplified version focusing on the commencement of something, losing some of the original phrase's precision.

FAQs

How can I use "that took effect" in a sentence?

You can use "that took effect" to indicate when a rule, law, or change became operational. For instance, "The new policy "that took effect" last month aims to improve employee satisfaction".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "that took effect"?

Alternatives include "that became effective", "which came into force", or "that was implemented". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it correct to say "that will take effect" instead of "that took effect"?

Yes, "that will take effect" is correct when referring to a future date. "That took effect" refers to something that already happened, while "that will take effect" refers to something in the future. For example, "The new rules "that will take effect" next year will change the process".

What's the difference between "that took effect" and "that is in effect"?

"That took effect" describes the moment something became operational or enforceable. "That is in effect" describes something that is currently active or being implemented. For instance, "The law "that took effect" in January is now "that is in effect"".