took effect

USAGE SUMMARY

"took effect" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to refer to a law, policy, or rule that has begun to be applied. For example: "The new immigration policy took effect yesterday, and new restrictions are now in place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The anesthetic took effect.

The New York Times

The decision took effect immediately.

The New York Times

The rules took effect immediately.

The New York Times

They took effect immediately.

The New York Times

The 17th Amendment took effect in 1913.

The New York Times

Two international treaties took effect in 2005.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The treaty took effect in 1993.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That cut took effect in August.

The New York Times

The rule took effect in September 2010.

The New York Times

Or maybe the tequila took effect.

The New Yorker

Both those provisions took effect in 2010.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "took effect" when referring to a specific date or time when a new rule, law, or policy became operational. For example: "The new regulations "took effect" on January 1st."

Common error

Avoid confusing "took effect" with 'affected'. "Took effect" means something became operational, while 'affected' means something was influenced or impacted. For example, it's incorrect to say "The policy affected on January 1st"; instead, use "The policy "took effect" on January 1st".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took effect" functions as a verb phrase indicating the beginning of the operational or enforceable period of a rule, law, or policy. Ludwig examples show it commonly used in formal and legal contexts to specify when changes become active. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "took effect" is a grammatically sound and widely used verb phrase that indicates the commencement or implementation of a rule, law, or policy. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, as well as encyclopedias and wikis. For alternatives, consider using "became effective" or "came into force". When using this phrase, be sure to specify the exact date or time of implementation to avoid ambiguity and avoid confusing it with similar-sounding phrases like 'affected'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became effective

Focuses on the start date or moment something becomes operational or binding.

came into force

Emphasizes the legal or official implementation of a law or regulation.

was implemented

Highlights the action of putting a plan or policy into practice.

became operational

Indicates that something is ready to be used or is actively in use.

was enacted

Primarily used in the context of laws and regulations, suggesting formal approval and implementation.

was activated

Suggests a system or mechanism has been switched on or made live.

began operating

Implies the start of a process or function.

started functioning

Similar to 'began operating' but emphasizes the functionality aspect.

was initiated

Focuses on the commencement or starting point of something.

went live

Suggests the activation of a system, often in a digital or technological context.

FAQs

How to use "took effect" in a sentence?

Use "took effect" to indicate when a rule, law, or policy began to be implemented. For instance, "The new tax law "took effect" on April 15th."

What can I say instead of "took effect"?

You can use alternatives like "became effective", "came into force", or "was implemented" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "took effect" or "came into affect"?

"Took effect" is the correct phrase. "Came into affect" is a common misspelling and is grammatically incorrect. Use ""took effect"" to indicate when something becomes operational.

What's the difference between "took effect" and "had an effect"?

"Took effect" signifies the commencement or implementation of a policy, rule, or law. "Had an effect", on the other hand, means that something influenced or impacted something else. The phrases are not interchangeable.