effect
effect — noun
1. a change that happens to someone or something because of another event, action,
a change that happens to someone or something because of another event, action, or situation — for example, the way a new medicine changes your health, or how a speech changes people's feelings.
The new medicine had a noticeable effect on Wren's skin condition within just two weeks.
collocation: have an effect on [noun phrase]
Felipe studied the effect of sunlight on young tomato plants for his school science project.
One side effect of the airport expansion is the increase in noise around nearby villages.
collocation: side effect
The effect of the earthquake was felt in towns over two hundred kilometres away.
Yara's speech about ocean pollution produced a powerful effect on the audience.
pattern: produce an effect on someone
- have an effect on
- side effect
- positive effect
- negative effect
- dramatic effect
- the effect of
- result
the most direct, neutral alternative; used for any cause-and-outcome situation
- outcome
focuses on the end result of a process, often after some time or effort
- consequence
often implies a more serious or negative result that follows from an action
- impact
suggests a stronger, more forceful effect, often on a large scale
- cause
the event or action that produces the effect
Grammar Patterns
have an effect on [noun phrase]
the effect of [noun phrase]
Usage Note
Frequently confused with the verb 'affect'. As a noun, 'effect' names the result; the verb 'affect' describes the action that causes it.
Common Mistakes
2. used with adjectives such as good, great, little, no, or immediate to describe w
used with adjectives such as good, great, little, no, or immediate to describe whether a particular action produces the result that was wanted.
Jin used his language skills to good effect when negotiating with the overseas clients.
pattern: to good effect — producing desired result
Nikos argued against the new policy, but to no effect — the committee voted in favour anyway.
pattern: to no effect — no result achieved
Christopher rearranged the furniture to great effect, making the living room feel much larger.
The team tried to repair the boat before sunset, but to little effect because a key part was missing.
- to good effect
- to great effect
- to no effect
- to little effect
- to immediate effect
- successfully
simpler word for 'to good effect'; works as a direct adverb in everyday speech
- in vain
equivalent to 'to no effect', but carries a slightly more emotional or literary tone
Grammar Patterns
to [adjective] effect
Usage Note
Always appears in the fixed pattern 'to + adjective + effect'. The adjective communicates the degree of success. Unlike sense 1, this phrase does not name what is affected — it only comments on whether the effort worked.
Common Mistakes
3. behaviour, words, or actions that are done deliberately to create a particular i
behaviour, words, or actions that are done deliberately to create a particular impression or to attract attention, rather than because they are natural or necessary.
Faisal paused for a long moment for effect before announcing the winner's name.
fixed phrase: for effect
Lan's dramatic outfit was chosen purely for effect, not because she normally dresses that way.
The witness added a few tears for effect during her testimony, but the jury remained unconvinced.
Dewi slipped a few technical terms into her presentation for effect, even though simple words would have worked better.
- for effect
- purely for effect
- simply for effect
- dramatic effect
- for show
more informal; suggests something is done to impress rather than to be useful
- for appearance's sake
emphasises maintaining the right image rather than substance
Grammar Patterns
for effect
Usage Note
This fixed phrase usually appears after a verb phrase describing the behaviour. It carries a slightly negative tone, suggesting the action is not fully genuine.
Common Mistakes
4. used to say that something is true in practice or in reality, even if it is not
used to say that something is true in practice or in reality, even if it is not stated or described that way.
The new policy is, in effect, a ban on smoking in all public parks across the city.
fixed phrase: in effect — stating practical reality
Although the company kept its original name, the merger was in effect a takeover by the larger firm.
Mira's refusal to sign the contract was, in effect, a vote against the entire proposal.
By lowering the speed limit, the town has in effect closed the road to heavy trucks.
- in effect
- in practice
more direct alternative; contrasts what is officially said with what actually happens
- essentially
adverb meaning 'in its most important aspects'; similar function but less formal
- effectively
adverb conveying the same idea of practical reality
Grammar Patterns
in effect
Usage Note
This fixed phrase functions as an adverbial. It is often set off with commas and appears near the beginning of a clause or after the subject. Do not confuse with 'come into effect' (sense 6), which refers to a rule starting to operate.
Common Mistakes
5. used to explain the main idea of a statement or piece of writing, without quotin
used to explain the main idea of a statement or piece of writing, without quoting the original language word for word.
Samir received a letter to the effect that his application for the research grant had been approved.
pattern: to the effect that [clause]
Chidi said he was not satisfied with the service, or words to that effect, before he walked out.
The notice on the door said something to the effect that the library would be closed for three months.
My grandmother left a note to the effect that the old clock should stay in the family for another generation.
- to the effect that
- to that effect
- words to that effect
- something to that effect
- in substance
legal or formal alternative; emphasises the core content rather than the wording
- basically
informal alternative; much simpler but less precise
Grammar Patterns
to the effect that [clause]
to that effect
Usage Note
More common in writing than in speech. 'To the effect that' introduces a clause; 'to that effect' or 'words to that effect' is used at the end of a sentence as a shorthand reference.
6. the state of a law, rule, agreement, or plan starting to operate or be used, or
the state of a law, rule, agreement, or plan starting to operate or be used, or the act of making it active.
The new safety rules will come into effect at the beginning of next month.
pattern: come into effect — start operating
The judge's decision was put into effect immediately, and the company had to pay the full fine.
pattern: put [noun] into effect — make active
Hao's promotion takes effect from the first of July, as confirmed by the Human Resources team.
The ban on single-use plastic bags came into effect across the whole region in March this year.
- come into effect
- take effect
- bring into effect
- put into effect
- with immediate effect
- with effect from
Grammar Patterns
come into effect
take effect
bring [noun] into effect
put [noun] into effect
Usage Note
The subject is typically an official or legal entity: a law, rule, policy, decision, agreement, or change. 'Take effect' and 'come into effect' are intransitive (the rule itself starts); 'bring into effect' and 'put into effect' are transitive (someone makes the rule start).
Common Mistakes
7. artificial images, sounds, or other elements that are created for films, televis
artificial images, sounds, or other elements that are created for films, television programmes, or video games to make imaginary or impossible things look real.
The film's special effects made the dragon look so real that the children in the cinema gasped.
plural noun: special effects in film
Felipe works as a designer of sound effects for video games, creating noises for footsteps and explosions.
Old science-fiction movies used simple camera tricks for their visual effects, but modern films use computer technology.
The play used clever lighting effects to create the feeling of a thunderstorm on stage.
- special effects
- sound effects
- visual effects
- lighting effects
- computer-generated effects
- practical effects
- visual effects
narrower term; refers specifically to images, not sounds
- VFX
abbreviation for visual effects; used in the film industry
Usage Note
Almost always used in the plural form 'effects'. When referring to a single technique or element, speakers use 'effect' as a countable noun ('a special effect', 'that sound effect is perfect').
Common Mistakes
8. the small personal items that someone owns and carries with them, such as clothi
the small personal items that someone owns and carries with them, such as clothing, a wallet, keys, a phone, or jewellery — often used in legal or official contexts, especially after someone has died or moved away.
After the accident, the police returned Jin's personal effects — her watch, wallet, and keys — to her family.
formal fixed phrase: personal effects
Passengers are reminded to take all their personal effects with them when leaving the train.
The lawyer carefully listed the personal effects of the late Mr. Okafor, including his watch collection.
When Dewi checked out of the hotel, she searched each drawer for personal effects left behind.
- personal effects
- personal belongings
- belongings
everyday alternative; less formal, more common in spoken English
- possessions
broader term that can include large items such as furniture or vehicles
- property
legal term; can refer to both movable and immovable assets
Usage Note
Formal term. In everyday conversation, people usually say 'belongings' or 'things' instead of 'personal effects'. Most common in police reports, legal documents, insurance forms, and hotel notices.
Common Mistakes
To make a plan or idea start working or become real.
The company will bring the new policy into effect next Monday.
Did the manager put the safety rules into effect after the accident?
come into effect
idiomTo start being used or applied, usually for a law or rule.
The new traffic law comes into effect on January 1st.
When did the smoking ban come into effect in this city?
in effect
idiomUsed to describe what the real situation is, often despite appearances.
In effect, the two contracts are exactly the same.
By ignoring the warning, you are in effect accepting the risk.
take effect
idiomTo start producing the intended result, especially for medicine or a law.
The painkiller took effect within twenty minutes.
Does the new regulation take effect immediately or next month?
Used to give the general meaning of what someone said, without using the exact words.
He sent a message to the effect that he would be late.
She said she was unhappy, or words to that effect.
Producing a positive, impressive, or noticeable result.
The speaker used humor to great effect during the presentation.
She decorated the room with colorful lights to dramatic effect.
to no effect
idiomWithout achieving the desired result, despite effort.
The team tried to fix the problem, but to no effect.
He argued with the manager to no effect.
with effect from…
idiomStarting from a particular date or time.
The new prices apply with effect from March 1st.
Her promotion is official with effect from next Monday.
Starting right now, without any delay.
The CEO resigned with immediate effect yesterday.
All employees must follow the new dress code with immediate effect.
effect — verb
1. to make something happen or be achieved, especially through effort or deliberate
to make something happen or be achieved, especially through effort or deliberate action — for example, to bring about a change in a system or to achieve a solution to a problem. Used mainly in formal writing and official contexts.
The new director managed to effect significant changes in the company's management structure within six months.
formal verb + noun: effect a change
Doctors are searching for a treatment that could effect a complete cure for this rare disease.
The government hopes to effect a smooth transition to renewable energy over the next ten years.
Through careful negotiation, the ambassador effected a peaceful agreement between the two neighbouring countries.
collocation: effect an agreement
- effect change
- effect a cure
- effect a transition
- effect a solution
- effect an agreement
- effect a recovery
- bring about
less formal, more common in everyday English; same meaning as 'effect'
- accomplish
similar level of formality; focuses on completing a goal
- achieve
common word; emphasises reaching a desired result through effort
- implement
more specific; focuses on putting a plan or system into action
Grammar Patterns
effect [noun phrase]
Usage Note
Formal register. In everyday speech, use 'bring about', 'achieve', 'make', or 'cause' instead. The verb 'effect' is often confused with 'affect' (to influence). 'Effect' as a verb means to accomplish; 'affect' as a verb means to influence.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- effectiveadjectiveB1
- effectivelyadverbB1
- effectivenessnounB2
- ineffectiveadjectiveB2
- ineffectivelyadverbC1
- effectualadjectiveC1
- ineffectualadjectiveC1
- affectverbB1
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
These five words all describe something that follows from an earlier event, but they differ in tone and scope. Effect is the broadest and most neutral term — it names any change produced by a cause, whether large or small, positive or negative (e.g., 'the effect of sunlight on plant growth'). Result is the most direct everyday alternative, simply pointing to what happens at the end of a process ('the result of the test'). Outcome emphasises the final stage after a period of uncertainty ('the outcome of the election'). Consequence often carries a serious or negative tone, suggesting a result that logically (and sometimes unavoidably) follows ('the consequences of ignoring safety rules'). Impact suggests a forceful, noticeable effect, usually on a large scale ('the impact of the new tax on low-income families'). In casual speech, 'result' is safest; in academic or formal writing, 'effect' and 'impact' are more common; 'consequence' works best when you want to imply responsibility or seriousness.
Common collocations
Nouns
- cause and effect
- side effect
- domino effect
- ripple effect
Adverbs
Phrases
- in effect
- take effect
- to that effect
- to good effect
- with immediate effect
Etymology
The word 'effect' entered English in the 1300s from Old French 'effect', which came from Latin 'effectus' — meaning 'performance, accomplishment, or result'. The Latin noun was built from the verb 'efficere' (to bring about or accomplish), which combines 'ex-' (out) with 'facere' (to do or make). So at its root, 'effect' carries the idea of something that is 'done out' or 'brought forth'. Over time, it split into two main branches: the everyday meaning of a result (noun sense 1), and a more formal use as a verb meaning 'to accomplish'. The specialised plural forms 'effects' for film illusions and 'personal effects' for belongings both developed later, in the 1700s and 1800s.