Grammar fix
a detrimental effect
harmful effect (formal/academic)
a negative or damaging impact on someone or something, especially used in formal, academic, or professional contexts.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
The new policy had a detrimental effect on employee morale.
In my opinion, excessive screen time can have a detrimental effect on children's social skills and overall well-being.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: Stress has a detrimental effect to your health.
Say: Stress has a detrimental effect on your health.
It's 'a detrimental effect ON something', never 'to'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'A detrimental effect on' is academic/report register; in speech natives just say 'bad for'.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
a detrimental effect on
- health
- the environment
- performance
- development