things that affect us

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things that affect us" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing various factors or influences that have an impact on individuals or groups. Example: "In today's society, there are many things that affect us, from social media trends to economic changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"These are things that affect us all," she says.

The Guardian

However, you'll see improvements in the things that affect us all"?

The Guardian

"It's the things that affect us the most that we vote on.

The New Yorker

It opened up a discussion on important things that affect us such as politics, corruption, prejudices and the like, earning her a spot on a TED Talk.

The Guardian - Travel

By doing this in such a comic, exuberant and loving way, we've really got to the essence of black people as opposed to the external things that affect us.

The Guardian

One can view that difference in outlook between them as a difference in outlook about how we are morally required to deal with the fact that in so far as things that affect us occur, determining what is and is not in our control, in so far as it matters for our own internal reactions to events, as Epictetus pointed out.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

It didn't focus necessarily on immigration reform, but it took up the common things that affected us all.

HuffPost

Through what Underwood refers to as the "outsourcing of death", and through this lack of exposure to it, we have become ill-equipped to deal with it – and in denial of the one thing that affects us all.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

How Chinese officials behave or misbehave not only will affect us — from the value of our currency to the level of our interest rates to the quality of the air we breathe — it may be the biggest thing that affects us outside of our own government.

The New York Times

"It makes no sense that this thing that affects us all isn't available to us all.

TechCrunch

However, colors are not the only thing that affects us -- one can still be efficient in a grey suit or workout well in a black outfit.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing broad, impactful subjects, use "things that affect us" to create a sense of shared experience and relevance for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "things that affect us" when more specific and descriptive language would be more impactful. For example, instead of saying "economic policies are things that affect us", specify which policies and their direct consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things that affect us" functions as a relative clause acting as a noun phrase modifier. It identifies and describes the specific elements or factors that have an impact on individuals or groups. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "things that affect us" is a grammatically correct and versatile relative clause used to denote factors influencing individuals or groups. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase enjoys widespread use and acceptance. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a range of contexts, although it frequently appears in news and media. When writing, use this phrase to highlight the shared impact of certain issues, but aim for more specific language when discussing particular consequences. Alternatives include "factors that influence us" and "elements that impact us".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

factors that influence us

Replaces "things" with "factors" and "affect" with "influence", focusing on the causal relationship.

elements that impact us

Substitutes "things" with "elements" and "affect" with "impact", highlighting the force exerted on individuals.

matters that concern us

Replaces "things" with "matters" and "affect" with "concern", emphasizing relevance and importance.

issues that impact our lives

Replaces "things" with "issues" and includes "our lives" for emphasis on personal relevance.

circumstances that shape us

Shifts the focus to how external factors mold individuals, using "circumstances" and "shape".

aspects that bear upon us

Uses more formal language, replacing "things" with "aspects" and "affect" with "bear upon".

forces that act upon us

Emphasizes the power dynamic, replacing "things" with "forces" and "affect" with "act upon".

influences that mold our experiences

Highlights the way experiences are formed by external elements, using "influences" and "mold".

conditions that have an effect on us

Breaks down the phrase to be more explicit, using "conditions" and "have an effect on".

externalities impacting our well-being

Uses economic terminology and focuses on the impact on well-being.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "things that affect us" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "factors that influence us" or "elements that impact us". These alternatives provide a more sophisticated and professional feel.

What's the difference between "things that affect us" and "issues that concern us"?

"Things that affect us" is a broader term that can encompass any factor influencing individuals or groups. "Issues that concern us" specifically refers to problems or matters of importance that affect people.

In what contexts is it best to use "things that affect us"?

This phrase is most effective when discussing shared experiences, community concerns, or broad societal impacts. It creates a sense of relevance and collective understanding.

What are some common examples of "things that affect us"?

Common examples include economic changes, social media trends, environmental policies, and political decisions. These factors have widespread impacts on daily lives and well-being.