effect
/ɪˈfekt/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈfekt/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˈfekt e-, ē-, ə-/ (ame, mw) · /əˈfekt/ (ame, ipa)
effect — 名詞
- effectsingular
- effectsplural
1. a change that happens to someone or something because of another event, action,
影響；效果
某事對另一事產生的變化或結果
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.
新藥物在短短兩週內就對 Wren 的皮膚狀況產生了明顯的效果。
collocation: have an effect on [noun phrase]
Felipe studied the effect of sunlight on young tomato plants for his school science project.
Felipe 為了學校的科學專題，研究了陽光對番茄幼苗的影響。
One side effect of the airport expansion is the increase in noise around nearby villages.
機場擴建的副作用之一是附近村莊的噪音增加了。
The effect of the earthquake was felt in towns over two hundred kilometres away.
地震的影響在兩百多公里外的小鎮都能感受到。
Yara's speech about ocean pollution produced a powerful effect on the audience.
Yara 關於海洋污染的演講對觀眾產生了強烈的影響。
- 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
文法句型
have an effect on [noun phrase]
the effect of [noun phrase]
用法筆記
Frequently confused with the verb 'affect'. As a noun, 'effect' names the result; the verb 'affect' describes the action that causes it.
常見錯誤
2. used with adjectives such as good, great, little, no, or immediate to describe w
成效
描述行動是否達到預期結果的固定片語
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.
Jin 在與海外客戶談判時，充分運用了他的語言能力，取得了良好成效。
pattern: to good effect — producing desired result
Nikos argued against the new policy, but to no effect — the committee voted in favour anyway.
Nikos 反對這項新政策，但毫無作用——委員會還是投票通過了。
pattern: to no effect — no result achieved
Christopher rearranged the furniture to great effect, making the living room feel much larger.
Christopher 重新擺放了家具，效果顯著，讓客廳感覺寬敞了許多。
The team tried to repair the boat before sunset, but to little effect because a key part was missing.
團隊試圖在日落前修好船，但因缺少關鍵零件，幾乎沒什麼效果。
- 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
文法句型
to [adjective] effect
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
3. behaviour, words, or actions that are done deliberately to create a particular i
做效果；刻意
為了製造印象而非出於真心而做的事
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.
Faisal 在宣布得獎者名字之前，刻意停頓了好一會兒以製造效果。
fixed phrase: for effect
Lan's dramatic outfit was chosen purely for effect, not because she normally dresses that way.
Lan 那套誇張的服裝純粹是為了製造效果，她平時並不那樣穿。
The witness added a few tears for effect during her testimony, but the jury remained unconvinced.
那位證人在作證時刻意擠了幾滴眼淚，但陪審團仍然不為所動。
Dewi slipped a few technical terms into her presentation for effect, even though simple words would have worked better.
Dewi 在簡報中刻意加了幾個專業術語來製造印象，即使簡單的詞彙就足夠了。
- 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
文法句型
for effect
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
4. used to say that something is true in practice or in reality, even if it is not
實際上
實際上就是如此，即使未明說
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.
這項新政策實際上等於禁止在城裡所有公共公園吸菸。
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.
雖然公司保留了原名，但這次合併實際上是被較大的公司收購。
Mira's refusal to sign the contract was, in effect, a vote against the entire proposal.
Mira 拒絕簽署合約，實際上就是對整個提案投了反對票。
By lowering the speed limit, the town has in effect closed the road to heavy trucks.
降低速限後，這個小鎮實際上等於禁止大型卡車通行這條路。
- 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
文法句型
in effect
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
5. used to explain the main idea of a statement or piece of writing, without quotin
大意是
轉述他人話語或文字的大意
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.
Samir 收到一封信，大意是他的研究補助金申請已獲核准。
pattern: to the effect that [clause]
Chidi said he was not satisfied with the service, or words to that effect, before he walked out.
Chidi 表示他對服務不滿意，大意是這樣，然後就走了出去。
The notice on the door said something to the effect that the library would be closed for three months.
門上的公告大意是圖書館將關閉三個月進行整修。
My grandmother left a note to the effect that the old clock should stay in the family for another generation.
我奶奶留了一張字條，大意是那座老鐘應該繼續留在家族中傳給下一代。
- in substance
legal or formal alternative; emphasises the core content rather than the wording
- basically
informal alternative; much simpler but less precise
文法句型
to the effect that [clause]
to that effect
用法筆記
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
生效；實施
法律、規則等開始運作
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.
新的安全規定將於下個月初生效。
pattern: come into effect — start operating
The judge's decision was put into effect immediately, and the company had to pay the full fine.
法官的判決立即生效，該公司必須繳納全額罰款。
pattern: put [noun] into effect — make active
Hao's promotion takes effect from the first of July, as confirmed by the Human Resources team.
Hao 的晉升從七月一日起生效，人力資源部門已確認此事。
The ban on single-use plastic bags came into effect across the whole region in March this year.
禁用一次性塑膠袋的政策已於今年三月在整個地區生效。
文法句型
come into effect
take effect
bring [noun] into effect
put [noun] into effect
用法筆記
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).
常見錯誤
7. artificial images, sounds, or other elements that are created for films, televis
特效
電影、電視中人工製造的視覺或聲音效果
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.
電影的特效讓那條龍看起來非常逼真，電影院裡的孩子們都驚呼了起來。
plural noun: special effects in film
Felipe works as a designer of sound effects for video games, creating noises for footsteps and explosions.
Felipe 是一名電子遊戲音效設計師，負責製作腳步聲和爆炸聲等音效。
Old science-fiction movies used simple camera tricks for their visual effects, but modern films use computer technology.
老科幻片用簡單的攝影技巧來製作視覺效果，但現代電影則使用電腦技術。
The play used clever lighting effects to create the feeling of a thunderstorm on stage.
這齣戲運用了巧妙的燈光效果，在舞台上營造出暴風雨的氛圍。
- visual effects
narrower term; refers specifically to images, not sounds
- VFX
abbreviation for visual effects; used in the film industry
用法筆記
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').
常見錯誤
8. the small personal items that someone owns and carries with them, such as clothi
個人財物
個人隨身物品，常用於法律或官方場合
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.
事故發生後，警方將 Jin 的個人財物——她的手錶、錢包和鑰匙——交還給她的家人。
formal fixed phrase: personal effects
Passengers are reminded to take all their personal effects with them when leaving the train.
提醒旅客下車時攜帶所有個人財物。
The lawyer carefully listed the personal effects of the late Mr. Okafor, including his watch collection.
律師仔細列出了已故 Okafor 先生的個人財物，包括他的收藏級手錶。
When Dewi checked out of the hotel, she searched each drawer for personal effects left behind.
Dewi 退房時檢查了每個抽屜，尋找是否遺留了個人財物。
- 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
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
effect — 動詞
- effectpresent simple I / you / we / they
- effects3rd person singular
- effecting-ing form
- effectedpast simple
1. to make something happen or be achieved, especially through effort or deliberate
實現；達成
透過努力使某事物發生（正式用語）
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.
新主管在六個月內成功實現了公司管理結構的重大變革。
formal verb + noun: effect a change
Doctors are searching for a treatment that could effect a complete cure for this rare disease.
醫生們正在尋找一種能夠徹底治癒這種罕見疾病的療法。
The government hopes to effect a smooth transition to renewable energy over the next ten years.
政府希望在未來十年內順利實現向再生能源的過渡。
Through careful negotiation, the ambassador effected a peaceful agreement between the two neighbouring countries.
透過審慎的談判，大使成功達成了兩個鄰國之間的和平協議。
- 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
文法句型
effect [noun phrase]
用法筆記
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.