to good effect

USAGE SUMMARY

"to good effect" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It is an idiomatic phrase used to describe something with a positive result or outcome. For example: "The quarterback tossed the ball to good effect, and the team scored a touchdown."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

And to good effect.

The Guardian

He cyber heckles to good effect too.

The Guardian - Opinion

James Lowe conducted to good effect.

The New York Times - Arts

Does she use history to good effect?

The New York Times - Books

And all the while she studied, to good effect.

The Guardian - Opinion

Louis-Dreyfus stressed both "busting" and "fucking" to good effect.

The New Yorker

Handed carte blanche, Patience filled it to good effect.

The Guardian

Both men resorted to props, to good effect.

The New York Times

He is certainly deploying it to good effect so far.

The Guardian - Sport

Gati quotes the inflammatory broadcast transcripts to good effect.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The tenor Evgeny Akimov sang to good effect both nights.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to good effect" when you want to emphasize that a particular action or strategy led to a noticeably positive or beneficial outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "to good effect" when the result is merely neutral or has potential negative consequences. The phrase implies a clear and demonstrable benefit.

Linguistic Context

"To good effect" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how an action is performed. It indicates that the action was carried out in a manner that produced a positive or beneficial outcome. This is supported by Ludwig, where many examples show it modifying verbs of action or implementation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to good effect" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe actions that yield positive results. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is an idiomatic expression that adds emphasis to the beneficial outcome of a particular strategy or action. It is prevalent in news and media, sports reporting, and science. While suitable for various contexts, it's important to ensure the result is genuinely positive and demonstrable to avoid misapplication. The phrase is a useful addition to any writer's toolkit, offering a concise and effective way to highlight successful outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with positive results

Focuses on the outcome being explicitly positive.

with success

Highlights the achievement of a goal.

to a positive outcome

Emphasizes the attainment of a favorable result.

effectively

Focuses on the efficiency of the action.

with beneficial consequences

Highlights the advantageous nature of the result.

fruitfully

Emphasizes the productive nature of the result.

advantageously

Single word adverb, shorter and more direct, less descriptive.

to one's advantage

Shows how it specifically benefits someone.

with impact

Emphasizes the influential effect.

to a marked degree

Highlights the notability of the result.

FAQs

How can I use "to good effect" in a sentence?

You can use "to good effect" to describe when something is used or done in a way that produces a positive or beneficial result. For example, "The coach used the new strategy "to good effect", leading the team to victory".

What are some alternatives to "to good effect"?

Alternatives include "with positive results", "effectively", or "successfully", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "to good effect" or "effectively"?

While both can indicate successful outcomes, "to good effect" often implies a more observable or demonstrable positive impact. "Effectively" focuses more on the efficiency of the action itself.

What does "to good effect" mean?

The phrase "to good effect" means that something was used or done in a way that produced a desirable or beneficial outcome. It suggests that the action or method employed was successful in achieving its intended result.