effects
effects — noun
1. a change or event that happens because of something else that came before it, es
a change or event that happens because of something else that came before it, especially as a direct outcome
The new safety rules had an immediate effect on the number of workplace accidents.
the effect on [something]
Doctors are studying the long-term effects of this medicine on children.
effect of [something] on [something]
Sofia noticed that the bright lights had a calming effect on the baby.
The storm caused severe effects across the coastal towns, flooding dozens of homes.
- result
more general term for what happens after a cause
- consequence
slightly more formal, often used for negative outcomes
- outcome
focuses on the final result of a process
- aftermath
specifically the result of a destructive or negative event
- cause
the thing that produces the effect
文法句型
the effects of [something] on [something]
用法筆記
Frequently used in the pattern 'the effect(s) of X on Y' to show causation. 'Effect' as a countable noun often pairs with 'have', 'produce', or 'cause'.
常見錯誤
2. the power or ability that a person, group, or situation has to shape events or c
the power or ability that a person, group, or situation has to shape events or change the way other people think or behave
The manager's opinion carries a lot of weight in hiring decisions at the company.
carries a lot of weight (collocation for influence)
Elena's words had a strong effect on the committee, and they agreed to fund the project.
have a [adjective] effect on [someone]
Social media platforms now have an enormous effect on what young people think is fashionable.
The professor's research had little effect on government policy despite its quality.
- powerlessness
lack of ability to influence
文法句型
have an effect on [someone/something]
用法筆記
In this sense 'effect' is typically uncountable (no article). Compare with sense 1 (result), where 'effect' is countable. Distinguish from 'influence', which is more common for interpersonal power dynamics.
常見錯誤
3. the particular feeling, look, or quality that something gives to the person who
the particular feeling, look, or quality that something gives to the person who sees, hears, or experiences it
The dark curtains and soft lighting gave the room a very romantic effect.
give a [adjective] effect
Arjun chose plain white walls to create a clean and modern effect in his studio.
create a [adjective] effect
The photographer adjusted the lens to achieve a blurry effect around the edges of the portrait.
Painted wooden signs outside the cafe produce a welcoming, old-fashioned effect.
- impression
focuses on the mental or emotional response rather than visual quality
- appearance
more literal, about how something looks
- atmosphere
about the mood or feeling of a place
文法句型
[create/give/produce] a [adjective] effect
4. engineered sounds, images, or visual tricks used in films, television shows, the
engineered sounds, images, or visual tricks used in films, television shows, theatre, and video games to make fictional scenes feel real or exciting
The sound effects in the horror movie made everyone in the theatre jump.
sound effects + entertainment context
Haruki works at a studio that creates visual effects for animated films.
visual effects as a job field
The video game won an award for its incredible lighting and explosion effects.
Old monster movies used simple camera tricks instead of computer effects to create their creatures.
文法句型
sound effects
visual effects
special effects
用法筆記
Often used as the second word in compound phrases: sound effects, visual effects, lighting effects, computer effects. Compare with the idiom 'special effects', which refers specifically to the professional craft of creating these illusions for performance.
常見錯誤
5. the small personal items that someone owns and keeps with them, often referred t
the small personal items that someone owns and keeps with them, often referred to in official or legal situations
The police returned the stolen effects to their owners after the case was solved.
stolen effects / returned effects
When Deepa moved abroad, she left most of her household effects in storage with her cousin.
household effects as belongings
Hotel guests should keep their valuable effects in the room safe during their stay.
The insurance form asked Jamal to list all personal effects lost in the fire.
- belongings
less formal, more common in everyday language
- possessions
broader, can include large items like houses or cars
- property
can include real estate as well as movable items
文法句型
[someone's] personal effects
用法筆記
Almost always plural. Frequently appears in formal or legal contexts: insurance claims, police reports, airport security. In everyday conversation, 'belongings' or 'things' sounds more natural than 'effects' for this meaning.
常見錯誤
6. the state of being active, functioning, or enforced according to a rule, plan, o
the state of being active, functioning, or enforced according to a rule, plan, or agreement
The new parking regulations came into effect on the first of March.
come into effect
The contract was signed last week but will remain in effect until the end of next year.
in effect (duration)
A ban on single-use plastic bags took effect across the whole province in June.
The old tax rules are no longer in effect, so businesses must follow the updated version.
- inactive
not currently operating or applied
文法句型
in effect
come into effect
take effect
用法筆記
Only appears in fixed prepositional phrases: 'in effect' (currently active), 'come into effect' (start being active), 'take effect' (begin to apply). Do not use with an article: 'the effect is in operation' sounds unnatural.
常見錯誤
7. the intended aim or desired outcome that someone wants to achieve through a part
the intended aim or desired outcome that someone wants to achieve through a particular action or plan
The director left a message to the effect that the team should continue working on the project.
to the effect that (paraphrasing speech/writing)
Kwame sent an email to that effect, confirming that he would not be renewing his contract.
to that effect (confirming expression)
The manager said something to the effect that the budget would need to be cut by ten percent.
Kenji wrote a letter to the editor with the effect of changing public opinion on the issue.
文法句型
to that effect
to the effect that
用法筆記
Primarily used in the fixed expressions 'to that effect', 'to the effect that', and 'with the effect of'. These are formal and more common in written than spoken English.
常見錯誤
effects — verb
1. to make something happen or bring it into existence through deliberate effort, e
to make something happen or bring it into existence through deliberate effort, especially something that requires planning or authority
The new director was hired to effect major changes in the way the school was run.
effect changes / effect reforms (common pattern)
The treaty effected a lasting peace between the two countries after years of conflict.
Liam worked hard to effect a compromise between the two arguing departments.
The therapy effected a remarkable improvement in the patient's ability to walk.
- bring about
the most common everyday alternative
- achieve
focuses on reaching a goal through effort
- accomplish
emphasises completing a task successfully
- implement
used for putting a plan or system into action
- prevent
to stop something from happening
文法句型
effect + [something]
用法筆記
A formal verb that is much less common than 'achieve', 'accomplish', or 'bring about'. Use mainly in formal writing about policies, changes, or improvements. Do not confuse with 'affect' (to influence). The noun 'effect' is far more frequent than this verb.