Understanding Indirect: A Guide to Direct and Mediate Effects

Indirect means something that happens or is done through another person, thing, or agency, rather than directly. It can also refer to a secondary or mediate effect or result.

For example:

* The company's new policy will have an indirect impact on the employees' workload. (Here, the policy will not directly affect the employees' workload, but it will do so through other means, such as changes in responsibilities or procedures.)
* The storm caused indirect damage to the house by weakening the foundation. (Here, the storm did not directly damage the house, but it had an indirect effect by weakening the foundation, which then led to the damage.)

In general, indirect refers to something that is not direct or straightforward, but rather involves one or more intermediate steps or factors.