ADJ

decisive, dramatic, far-reaching, important, marked, powerful, profound, significant, strong
marginal, minimal, modest, negligible
chief, main, major, principal
full
The full effects of the new tax have not yet been felt
apparent, appreciable, detectable, discernible, measurable, noticeable, visible
likely, possible, potential, predictable, probable
subtle
disproportionate
residual
adverse, catastrophic, crippling, damaging, debilitating, deleterious, destructive, detrimental, devastating, disastrous, harmful, ill, negative, serious, traumatic, undesirable, unfortunate
the crippling effect of sanctions on the economy He didn't seem to have suffered any ill effects from his fall
beneficial, positive, salutary
the desired
We had problems with mosquitoes, but this spray had the desired effect
magical, remarkable
Giving up smoking had a magical effect on his stamina
immediate
direct, indirect
short-term
lasting, long-term, permanent
domino, knock-on, ripple, spin-off
Any delay in delivery of materials will have a knock-on effect throughout the production process
practical
aggregate, combined, cumulative, net, overall
qualitative, quantitative
cohesive
divisive
deterrent, disincentive
The deterrent effect of the death penalty has long been questioned. Heavy taxation has a disincentive effect
calming, hypnotic, soothing, soporific
curative, restorative, therapeutic
placebo
inflationary
corrosive
greenhouse
policies to reduce emissions of gases which cause the greenhouse effect

VERB + EFFECT

bring about, exert, have, produce
The drug exerts a powerful effect on the brain
take
The medicine started to take effect after a few minutes
feel, experience, suffer (from)
Women feel the effects of alcohol more quickly than men
recover from
observe
show
assess, determine, estimate, examine, measure, study
ameliorate, cushion, lessen, minimize, mitigate, reduce, soften
to minimize the effects of economic change
cancel out
counter, counteract, offset
compound, magnify, maximize
avoid
aim at
That is precisely the effect I was aiming at
be worried about, fear
underestimate
ignore

EFFECT + VERB

spread
last
wear off
How soon will the effects of the drug wear off?

PREP

in ~
The border closure meant, in effect, that no trade took place between the countries
to this/that ~
They told us to go away, or words to that effect
with … ~
The plague struck London again with devastating effect
~ on/upon
The dry weather had an adverse effect on the potato crops

PHRASES

cause and effect
key historical concepts such as cause and effect
to little/ no effect
The air-conditioning came on, to little effect

ADJ

immediate

VERB + EFFECT

come into
The new regulations come into effect next month
bring sth into, put sth into
The recommendations will soon be put into effect

PREP

in ~
Some laws from the eighteenth century are still in effect
with ~
The bank has cut interest rates with immediate effect

ADJ

dramatic, startling, striking, stunning
maximum, optimum
the desired
I found that by adding white I could achieve the desired effect
overall
The overall effect of the painting is overwhelming

VERB + EFFECT

give (sth), have
The stage lighting gives the effect of a moonlit scene
achieve, create
enhance, heighten
The dramatic effect was heightened by her black dress and dead white face
mar, spoil

PREP

for … ~
' You know why I'm here? ' Doug paused for maximum effect
to … ~
She uses animal sounds to startling effect in her music

ADJ

special
cinematic
audio, sound
optical, visual
lighting
elaborate
digital