special effects

Meaning

This phrase refers to the illusions or visual tricks used in films, television, theatre, or video games to simulate imagined events or environments. It is a neutral, standard industry term used by both professionals and movie fans. It is almost always pluralized.

Examples

• The movie was famous for its groundbreaking special effects and CGI.

  The movie was famous for its groundbreaking special effects and CGI.

• Even though the plot was weak, the special effects were absolutely stunning.

  Even though the plot was weak, the special effects were absolutely stunning.

• Old sci-fi movies had very simple special effects compared to modern films.

  Old sci-fi movies had very simple special effects compared to modern films.

• The studio spent millions of dollars on the special effects for the action scenes.

  The studio spent millions of dollars on the special effects for the action scenes.

• I love how they used practical special effects instead of relying only on computers.

  I love how they used practical special effects instead of relying only on computers.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The special affects in that movie were amazing.

  ✓ The special effects in that movie were amazing.

  'Affect' is usually a verb meaning to influence, while 'effect' is the noun meaning a result or illusion.

• ✗ They used a lot of special effect.

  ✓ They used a lot of special effects.

  When discussing the visual illusions in films in a general sense, the term is almost always used in the plural form 'effects'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The sci-fi epic won an Academy Award for its outstanding ___.

  💡 Visual illusions created for movies.

  Show answer

  special effects

• Without modern ___, it would be impossible to make realistic superhero movies.

  💡 The plural term for cinematic illusions.

  Show answer

  special effects