to great effect

USAGE SUMMARY

'to great effect' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something has had a strong or significant impact or result. For example: "The company's marketing strategy was executed to great effect, resulting in a dramatic increase in sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then he farted, to great effect.

The New Yorker

condensatus 'Cosmopolitan' to great effect.

The Telegraph

Miller uses it to great effect.

The Guardian - Books

Often it was violated to great effect.

The New York Times - Arts

We can work from anywhere, to great effect.

University of California, Berkeley

Maps had been used by Moore to great effect.

The New Yorker

Both men use it against each other to great effect.

The Guardian - Film

It's a celebration of simple things used to great effect.

The Guardian

And that is what they did, to great effect.

The New York Times - Arts

There are times when this awkwardness works to great effect.

The New York Times - Arts

He makes his version surprisingly bleak, sometimes to great effect.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to great effect" to emphasize that a particular action or strategy had a significant and positive impact. It's best suited when highlighting tangible or easily observable results.

Common error

Avoid using "to great effect" when the results are unclear or subjective. Instead, opt for more specific language that quantifies the impact, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to great effect" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to describe the manner in which an action is carried out. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to great effect" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to emphasize that an action or strategy has yielded a significant and positive outcome. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used, making it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and professional writing. When using "to great effect", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates the successful or impactful nature of the action being described. While alternatives like "successfully" or "effectively" exist, "to great effect" provides a more emphatic and often more formal tone. Avoid using it in vague or subjective contexts where the results are not easily quantifiable. The phrase frequently appears in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, indicating its acceptance and prevalence in high-quality writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to fabulous effect

Emphasizes a more impressive and stylish result.

to fantastic effect

Highlights an exceptionally positive and impressive outcome.

to considerable effect

Indicates a noticeable and significant impact.

to perfect effect

Suggests an ideal or flawless outcome.

to gorgeous effect

Implies a beautiful and visually appealing result.

to major effect

Indicates a substantial and important impact.

to overwhelming effect

Highlights an extremely powerful and impactful result.

to notable effect

Signifies a result that is worthy of attention and recognition.

to striking effect

Emphasizes a result that is particularly noticeable and impressive.

to remarkable effect

Indicates an extraordinary and noteworthy outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "to great effect" to describe something that was done successfully or had a significant positive impact. For example, "The new marketing campaign was implemented "to great effect", resulting in increased sales."

What are some alternatives to "to great effect"?

Alternatives include "successfully", "effectively", "to good effect", or "with considerable success". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more formal to use "to great effect" or "effectively"?

"To great effect" is slightly more emphatic and can be perceived as somewhat more formal than the simple adverb "effectively". However, both are generally acceptable in most formal contexts.

What's the difference between "to great effect" and "to a lesser extent"?

"To great effect" implies a significant positive impact, while "to a lesser extent" indicates a smaller or less noticeable impact. They are opposite in terms of the degree of impact conveyed.