AFFECT & EFFECT: What's the difference?

AFFECT & EFFECT: What's the difference?

Jul 16, 2023

The words "affect" and "effect" are easy to mix up because they sound similar and have similar spellings.


AFFECT:

"Affect" is usually a verb and means to influence or cause someone or something to change. It is typically used to describe the process of causing a change or making a difference.


EXAMPLES:

  1. The loud noise affected my concentration.
  2. The new policy will affect all employees.
  3. Rainy weather affects my mood.


EFFECT:

"Effect" is usually a noun and means the result of an influence. It is the result or consequence of an action or event. It represents the outcome or the impact that has been produced.


EXAMPLES:

  1. Opening a casino had a negative effect on the city.
  2. The new breakroom had a positive effect on employee morale.
  3. The drug had a significant effect on reducing symptoms.


"Effect" can also be used as a verb, but it is less common. When used as a verb, it means to bring about or accomplish something. However, this usage is less frequently encountered. In each of the sentences below, we can replace effect with affect and have the same meaning.


EXAMPLES:

  1. She tried to effect changes in the organization.
  2. The government implemented strict measures to effect a reduction in crime rates.


Helpful hint to remember the difference

Even native English speakers mix these up! One way to remember the difference between "affect" and "effect" is to associate "affect" with the word "action" and "effect" with the word "end result."


Affect (verb): Think of "affect" as an action word. It is a verb that represents the act of influencing or having an impact on something. Both "affect" and "action" start with the letter "A," which can serve as a memory cue.


Effect (noun): Consider "effect" as the end result or consequence of an action. The word "effect" itself starts with the letter "E," which can remind you of "end result" or "end outcome."


Less common uses: AFFECT as a noun and EFFECT as a verb

The use of "affect" as a noun primarily occurs in the fields of psychology and psychiatry. When "affect" is used as a noun, it refers to a person's observable and outward display of emotions, mood, or emotional responsiveness.


EXAMPLES:

  1. The therapist noticed that the patient's affect was consistently flat throughout the session, indicating the patient may have become depressed again.
  2. The researcher studied the relationship between chronic pain and affect, focusing on how pain intensity influenced emotional well-being.


"Effect" can be used as a verb, but it is less common. When used as a verb, it means to bring about or accomplish something. However, this usage is less frequently encountered. In each of the sentences below, we can replace effect with affect and have the same meaning.


EXAMPLES:

  1. She tried to effect changes in the organization.
  2. The government implemented strict measures to effect a reduction in crime rates.


Since affect as a noun is only really used in the fields of psychology and psychiatry and effect is rarely used a verb, you really don't need to spend energy remembering these as an English learner (unless of course, you work in the field of psychology and psychiatry).