- Affect is usually used as a verb meaning to influence or produce a change in something, whereas effect is generally used as a noun that refers to a change resulting from something.
- You’ll commonly encounter the verb affect and the noun effect in closely related scenarios involving actions and their consequences: If A affects B, B experiences the effect of A’s action.
- Affect and effect are commonly confused words that can both be used as verbs and nouns, but critical grammatical differences exist between them.
It’s no secret that affect and effect are easy to mix up. To help clear up the confusion and ensure correct usage, here are some rules and examples that explain the difference between affect and effect.
Table of Contents
Learn the difference between affect and effect
Exceptions to the general rules for affect vs. effect
Learn the difference between affect and effect
Affect is generally used as a verb meaning to have an impact on something. Effect is usually used as a noun and refers to a change resulting from something, but it’s sometimes used as a verb that means to cause a specific change or something to happen.
When you encounter the verb affect and the noun effect in closely related scenarios involving actions and their consequences, remember this: If A affects B, B experiences the effect of A’s action.
In other words, imagine Ruby (A) pushes Raphael (B) into a pond. Ruby affects where Raphael is standing. Raphael getting wet is the effect of Ruby’s act. Because Ruby performed an action, it signals the use of the verb affect. The result, or effect, of that verb is wetness, a noun that is probably causing Raphael a whole lot of discomfort.
Part of the reason that affect as a verb and effect as a noun are so easy to confuse is that they’re homophones or words that are pronounced similarly but have different meanings. Some other examples of similar-sounding (and sometimes confusing) words that people tend to mix up are flaunt/flout, assure/ensure/insure, and advice/advise.
How to use affect
Use affect as a verb when referring to producing change or making a difference.
What are synonyms for affect?
- alter
- change
- influence
- modify
- impact (the verb version)
That list of synonyms should affect your understanding of the word.
More examples of affect
Here are some examples of affect pulled from various works:
Gravity affects everything in the universe, but the amount of gravity affecting an object depends on two things: the masses of the objects being attracted and the distance between the objects. —Study.com, “The Effects of Mass & Distance on Gravity”
It is only by understanding how language can affect culture that you can learn the best way to use language when communicating with a different culture. The influence of language is intertwined with its culture and provides a sense of stability and continuity among a group of people. —Love to Know, “How Does Language Affect Culture? Explaining the Connection”
And we could do nothing to help them; Dunham was crying quietly beside me, and all the men were affected by the piteous cries.—Edwin Campion Vaughan, “Some Desperate Glory: The Diary of a Young Officer, 1917”
In that last example, the men are affected because they are changed by the disturbing events of war, and this change has an emotional factor. When a person is affected by an event, that often means that the effect is on the level of emotion or psychology—more on that when we discuss exceptions.
How to use effect
Use effect as a noun to refer to a change resulting from something. It’s sometimes used as a verb that means to cause a specific change, but we’ll get more into that later.
What are synonyms for effect?
- result
- repercussion
- consequence
- outcome
- aftermath
- impact (the noun version)
That list of synonyms should have a positive effect on your understanding of the word.
More examples of effect
Here are some examples of effect pulled from various works:
Humans can reduce the effects of climate change on the environment by signing international treaties to address climate change, pledging carbon neutrality, and switching to renewable energy, electric cars, and plant-based diets. —StudySmarter, “Human Impact on Climate Change”
And the bell had the effect of releasing us all from the paralyzing tension we had just survived—but for only an instant. —John Irving, “A Prayer for Owen Meany”
As a bonus, here’s an example using affect and effect in the same sentence:
The new policy will affect student attendance, which will have a significant effect on overall grades.
Exceptions to the general rules for affect vs. effect
Now that you’ve mastered the difference between affect and effect as they’re most often used, let’s review the less common ways these words function.
Effect as a verb
Effect as a verb means to directly bring about a result. It usually appears with a noun like change or solutions as a direct object.
In other words, the protesters wanted to bring about the effect of change—maybe by getting the government to change its policies or step down. For the verb affect, the direct object is the thing being impacted or influenced. For the verb effect, the direct object is the thing being brought about—in this case, change.
Affect as a verb: another meaning
Affect can also mean to put on an act or pretend to feel or be a certain way.
This sense of the word is most familiar today in its adjective form, affected, which means pretentious, artificial, or designed to impress.
Affect as a noun
Affect as a noun has a specific psychological meaning: what can be observed about someone’s feelings or emotional response. It doesn’t come up that often in general conversation or writing.
Affect vs. effect FAQs
What does affect mean?
As a verb, affect means to influence or produce a change in something. For example, a discovery can affect a scientific theory, and failing a test can affect someone’s mood.
As a less common verb, affect means to put on a pretense.
Affect as a noun is generally used in psychology and means the observable manifestations of someone’s emotional state.
What does effect mean?
As a noun, effect refers to the outcome of an event or situation that created a change. For example, you can feel the effects of a cold or an earthquake, and the sun coming out can have a positive effect on your mood.
Effect as a verb means to directly achieve or bring something about.
How do you remember the difference between affect and effect?
Remember these simple tips: A is for action. Verbs are about action. Affect starts with an a, and it’s a verb. Now, think of the common phrase cause and effect. Cause ends with an e, and effect begins with an e. So not only does a cause lead to an effect, but cause’s e also leads to effect’s e.
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