Affect vs Effect: Find out the Differences Between these Two Words

Even many native English speakers struggle with when to use affect or effect. To further compound the confusion, effect and affect both have noun and verb forms that are commonly used.

Not to worry! Keep on reading for all the details you need to know about effect vs affect and you’ll have them straight in no time at all.

Effect vs Affect

Most people say the “a” and “e” at the beginning of the words quite distinctly so it’s easy to distinguish between these two words.

Effect can have either a soft or hard “e.” “ef-fect” or “ee-fect.”

Affect (as a verb)

A verb that means to act on or produce change in. Or to change someone’s feelings.

Tip: Use “affect” if you could replace it with the verbs “hurt” or “impact.” See the first sentence (The cold weather HURTS/IMPACTS my knees).

Examples: 

• The cold weather affects my knees.
• That music really affected me. It was so angry.
• Covid-19 affected my business in a negative way.
• How much you study will affect your grades.

Affect (as a noun)

Can also be a noun (less common than as a verb). Used in psychology to talk about emotion or desire.

Examples: 

• Joe’s body language generally shows no affect. He’s difficult to read.
• She has a negative affect about her.
• Tommy took the news about getting transferred to Chicago with little affect.

Effect (as a noun)

A noun that means result or consequence.

Tip: Use “effect” if you could replace it with the noun consequence. See the first sentence (What CONSEQUENCE did Covid-19 have on your business?).

Examples:

• What effect did Covid-19 have on your business?
• Video games have a negative effect on teenagers.
• You won’t notice the effect of the medication until a few days later.
• Painting your room a dark color will often have the effect of making it look smaller.

Effect (as a verb)

Less commonly used an a verb that means to cause something to happen or to accomplish something.

Examples: 

• She effected many positive changes in her students.
• I hope to effect change in my new role at this company.

Affect vs Effect Practice

1. How were your children _____ by the pandemic?
2. Hiring someone will have a big _____ on how much free time you have.
3. I’m so _____ by the weather, especially gloomy, rainy days.
4. I hope to _____ positive change in my role as volunteer coordinator.
5. There are a number of _____ that resulted from that decision Ted made.
6. For my dissertation, I’m going to do some research on the _____ of education levels on vaccination rates.
7. His teacher really had a positive _____ on Ted this year.
8. Does Tom have a positive or negative overall _____?

Answers

1. affected
2. effect
3. affected
4. effect
5. effects
6. effects
7. effect
8. affect

Other Confusing English Words

Check out some of the most confusing words in English:

adverse vs averse

excess vs access

except vs accept 

advice vs advise

already vs all ready

Want to Find Out More?

You can find hundreds of confusing English words and word pairs in this book: Most Confusing Words in English Explained. Pick up a copy and ace your next TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exam! Find out everything you need to know about it right here:

Affect or Effect: Join the Conversation

Do you have any tips or tricks for remembering the differences between these two words and their various forms? Leave a comment below and let us know. We’d really appreciate it.

Last update on 2022-08-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API