was already in effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was already in effect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a particular rule, law, or situation was already active or applicable at a certain point in time. Example: "The new regulations were announced last month, but they were already in effect before the official release."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Such a law, the Stavisky-Goodman Act, was already in effect.

The New York Times

A curfew was already in effect in Tivoli Gardens late last week when the police arrived looking for guns.

The New York Times

By January 1920 prohibition was already in effect in 33 states covering 63 percent of the total population.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A federal disaster declaration was already in effect for 22 West Virginia counties because of earlier floods, and Governor Wise asked that it be extended to two more.

The New York Times

But I was already in effect studying conducting techniques, watching my father or his colleagues even when I was very small".

The Guardian - Music

"Most of them said they were not aware that the gun ban was already in effect, but that is not an excuse," said Leonardo Espina, a police spokesman.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

A cease-fire is already in effect.

The New York Times

Clinton is already, in effect, Advance Man in Chief.

The New Yorker

Many are already, in effect, spending next year's TV money.

The Economist

Some are already in effect, while others are still in the planning stages.

The New York Times

Few of those suggestions are new and some are already in effect.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was already in effect" to clearly indicate that a rule, law, or system was operational at a specific point in the past. Ensure the context provides a clear reference to the point in time being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "was already in effect" when describing a current or future situation. Use "is already in effect" or "will be in effect" to maintain correct tense consistency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was already in effect" functions as a descriptive phrase indicating that a specific rule, law, or situation had been implemented and was operational at a particular point in the past. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

13%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was already in effect" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to indicate that a specific rule, law, or condition was operational at a particular point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability, evident from its presence in numerous reputable sources such as The New York Times, The Economist, and The Guardian. The phrase is versatile across various contexts, although more commonly found in news and media. When using "was already in effect", ensure that your tense is consistent and that the context clearly indicates the past timeframe you're referencing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was already operative

Changes 'in effect' to 'operative', emphasizing the functional aspect of something being active.

was already in force

Substitutes 'in effect' with 'in force', highlighting the legal or regulatory validity of something.

was already implemented

Replaces 'in effect' with 'implemented', focusing on the action of putting something into practice.

was already active

Uses 'active' instead of 'in effect', indicating that something was functioning or running.

had already begun

Shifts the focus to the commencement of an action or state, rather than its continued validity.

was previously established

Emphasizes the prior establishment or creation of something, rather than its ongoing effect.

was previously initiated

Focuses on the commencement of an action or process in the past.

was already underway

Indicates that something was in progress or happening at a particular time.

had been in place

Highlights the existence of something in a particular location or position before a certain time.

was in existence

Simply states that something existed at a specific point in time.

FAQs

How can I use "was already in effect" in a sentence?

Use "was already in effect" to specify that a rule, law, or system was operational or valid at a certain point in the past. For example, "The curfew "was already in effect" when the police arrived".

What's a synonym for "was already in effect"?

Synonyms for "was already in effect" include "was already operative", "was already in force", or "was already implemented" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is already in effect" instead of "was already in effect"?

Yes, "is already in effect" is correct when referring to something currently operational. "Was already in effect" refers to something that "was previously initiated" and is now being referenced in the past.

What's the difference between "was already in effect" and "was going into effect"?

"Was already in effect" means something "was already active" or operational. "Was going into effect" indicates something was about to start or become operational in the near future.