effect a change

Meaning

This formal phrase means to bring about, accomplish, or produce a result, specifically a transformation or modification. 'Effect' is used here as a verb meaning 'to make happen,' which is a common source of confusion for English learners.

Examples

• The new CEO hopes to effect a change in the company's work culture.

  The new CEO hopes to effect a change in the company's work culture.

• Protesters gathered in the streets, demanding policies that would effect a change.

  Protesters gathered in the streets, demanding policies that would effect a change.

• It takes time and dedication to effect a change in community behavior.

  It takes time and dedication to effect a change in community behavior.

• The school board implemented new rules to effect a change in student performance.

  The school board implemented new rules to effect a change in student performance.

• We must work together if we want to effect a positive change in our environment.

  We must work together if we want to effect a positive change in our environment.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We want to affect a change in the system.

  ✓ We want to effect a change in the system.

  'Affect' is a verb that means to influence. 'Effect' (as a verb) means to bring about or produce. To make a change happen, 'effect' must be used.

• ✗ The new policy did not effect of change.

  ✓ The new policy did not effect a change.

  'Effect' acts as a transitive verb here; it takes a direct object ('a change') without needing a preposition.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The activist group is working hard to ___ a change in local environmental laws.

  💡 To bring about or cause to happen (verb).

  Show answer

  effect

• It is difficult to effect a ___ when people are resistant to new ideas.

  💡 A transformation or modification.

  Show answer

  change