Affect vs effect
Affect is usually a verb that means to change or influence something. Effect is usually a noun that means the result or change itself.
Affect starts with A, like action. Effect starts with E, like end result.
affect verb
To change or influence something.
- Rising fuel prices affect the cost of nearly everything we buy.
- Lack of sleep can affect your mood the next day.
effect noun
A result or change that something causes.
- The policy had a noticeable effect on local employment.
- The medicine had no effect on my headache.
Watch out
- Effect can also be a verb meaning to make something happen. To effect change means to bring change about, not just to influence it.The committee effected sweeping reforms within a year.
- In psychology, affect can also be a noun, stressed on the first part (AFF-ect), for a feeling or mood that shows in a person's face or body. It is a technical word.The therapist described the client's affect as unusually flat.
- Effect is the noun in set phrases like in effect, for a rule that is active, and personal effects, for a person's belongings.The soldier's personal effects were shipped home to his parents.
Test yourself
The new law had a big blank on small businesses.
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effect. After a big you need a noun, the result of the law.
Too much screen time can blank your eyesight.
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affect. After can you need a verb meaning to change something.
The ban stays in blank until next year.
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effect. In effect means a rule is active. Effect is the noun here.
Will the storm blank our flight?
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affect. You need a verb. The storm might change the flight.