in effect v. in substance v. virtually.

[hhtt21]

"the … committee agreed to what was in effect a reduction in the hourly wage — Current Biog." I am having some difficulties to understand this sentence. Would you please explain the meaning of the sentence in a different way.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in effect

Thank you.

 

[GoesStation]

The committee agreed to terms which resulted in workers earning less money per hour. "In effect" suggests that the wage itself was not reduced, but other aspects of the agreement led to lower net income per hour.

 

[hhtt21]

The committee agreed to terms which resulted in workers earning less money per hour. "In effect" suggests that the wage itself was not reduced, but other aspects of the agreement led to lower net income per hour.

Is the underlined part surely correct, or it is a guess?

Thank you.

 

[teechar]

In effect = ultimately = in the end
Why do you think GoesStation's post might be a guess? Which part do you doubt?

 

[hhtt21]

In effect = ultimately = in the end
Why do you think GoesStation's post might be a guess? Which part do you doubt?

Because of "other aspects". There might be no other aspect, for example. It is not mostly doubt, it is mostly a question of understanding. I try to undestand how did that part appear.

Thank you.

 

[GoesStation]

The writer would not have included "in effect" if the wage had been explicitly reduced.

 

[teechar]

The phrase "in effect" implies: that was the effect of it, even if that effect (or result) was indirect.

 

[hhtt21]

Can we think in effect here means consequently or as a result?

2. "the … committee agreed to what was in effect/consequently/as a result of a reduction in the hourly wage — Current Biog"?

Thank you.

 

[teechar]

No, but you can use "in essence", "essentially", "basically", "effectively".

 

[hhtt21]

In effect, Herr Burgdorf, yes

This is from dialogue of two peple.

-So he finances terror,” he retorts loudly, spelling matters out for the benefit of the many
-In effect, Herr Burgdorf, yes

Does in effect here mean actually?

-So he finances terror,” he retorts loudly, spelling matters out for the benefit of the many
-Actually, Herr Burgdorf, yes

Source: https://books.google.com.tr/books?i...epage&q=In effect, Herr Burgdorf, yes&f=false

Thank you.

 

[GoesStation]

Re: In effect, Herr Burgdorf, yes

Not exactly. As in your previous quotation, the speaker is saying that although the person isn't paying for terrorism directly, something else that he pays for enables terrorists to operate. If he said "Actually, yes," you'd lose the nuance; the speaker would be saying "Yes, this person pays to support terrorism."

 

[jutfrank]

Re: In effect, Herr Burgdorf, yes

-So he finances terror,” he retorts loudly, spelling matters out for the benefit of the many
-In effect, Herr Burgdorf, yes

Does in effect here mean actually?

Here, it's like saying indirectly.

 

[hhtt21]

Re: In effect, Herr Burgdorf, yes

What are the exactly same or almost the same adverbs would convey the idea of "in efffect" used in this dialogue, is it "in directly"?

3. "in directly, Herr Burgdorf, yes."

Is this also as natural as the original?

Thank you.

 

[GoesStation]

Re: In effect, Herr Burgdorf, yes

It's natural if you make it a single word: indirectly. Here in-​ is a prefix meaning "not".