Affect vs Effect

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Affect and Effect are frequently used incorrectly because people don't realize the difference between the two words. In most common situations, affect is used as a verb and effect as a noun. However, both words have alternate meanings when used as different parts of speech.

Comparison chart

Improve this chart	Affect	Effect
Verb Meaning:	As a verb, to affect something means to cause it to change in some way. This is affect's most common usage.	As a verb, "to effect" means "to bring about".
Noun Meaning:	As a noun, the word "affect" relates to the display of emotion.	As a noun, effect means the result or outcome of a cause. This is effect's most common usage. Also, a person's "effects" means his/her immediate personal belongings.
Usage:	"Affect" is most commonly used in its verb form.	"Effect" is most commonly used in its noun form.
Pronunciation:	Noun: ˈæfɛkt and Verb: ə'fɛkt	ɪˈfɛkt
Example:	"My cold was affected by the weather"	"Special effects"

Contents 1 Differences in Usage 1.1 Examples of Affect vs Effect 2 Video explaining the difference 3 Usage in special cases 3.1 Affect as a noun 3.2 Effect as a verb 3.3 Effects as a plural noun 4 See Also

edit Differences in Usage

In general, affect is a verb and effect is a noun. When X "affects" Y, it is said that X produces an "effect" on Y. In passive form, Y is "affected" by X.

edit Examples of Affect vs Effect

• Carbon di-oxide emissions affect the environment.
• The effect of global warming is that glaciers will melt and sea levels will rise.
• The 2008 Presidential elections in the United States were likely affected by the war in Iraq.
• Reducing the marketing budget will affect sales growth.
• Abuse during childhood may lead to violence in adulthood. This is just cause and effect.
• We know the new marketing campaign is really effective because sales are up 350%.
• Do you know the side effects of Advil vs Tylenol?
• Doctors must keep in mind that X-Rays in CAT Scans may affect the body adversely on repeated exposure.

As a rule of thumb that works in most common usage scenarios, it is advisable to use affect as a verb (transitive, intransitive, active, passive) and effect when used as a noun.

edit Video explaining the difference

edit Usage in special cases

Like many other words in the English language, affect and effect have more than one meaning.

edit Affect as a noun

When used as a noun, "affect" means Feelings and desires as factors in thought or conduct or, more simply, external display of one's emotion or mood. The pronunciation of the word "affect" is slightly different when used as a noun. It is pronounced æf?kt. For example, John seemed completely devoid of affect., which means John did not display any emotions.

edit Effect as a verb

When used as a verb, "effect" means to execute, produce, or accomplish something. It is pronounced the same way whether used as a verb or a noun. For example, The best way to effect change in society is to work at the grassroots level. Here "to effect change" means "to produce change".

edit Effects as a plural noun

The word "effects" can also be used to mean "a person's belongings". For example, He left without any of his personal effects.

edit See Also

• Affected vs. Effected
• Allude vs Elude
• Principal vs. Principle
• There vs. Their
• Then vs. Than
• Ethics vs Morals
• Sense vs Since

Comments: Affect vs Effect

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Anonymous comments

While the comment that 'effect" is typically used as a noun while "affect" is typically a verb is correct, both words can be used as verbs or nouns. As verbs, "affect" means "to influence" while "effect" means "to cause". -- University Professor for 25 years

207.✗.✗.207 on 2013-05-10 15:46:58

So when I have often said, "NO EFFECT" to denote that nothing changed, is it correct? Or should I have said 'NO AFFECT' which still just doesn't sound quite right to me? ........

216.✗.✗.132 on 2012-09-21 16:37:31

Are there any instances where both affect and effect would work?

66.✗.✗.93 on 2012-02-21 09:27:55

The new law will affect you. The effect of the new law is that people will smoke less.

24.✗.✗.112 on 2009-03-18 18:46:06

so if I say; the new law may effect you - is that correct (or should it be affect)?

24.✗.✗.173 on 2009-02-24 03:21:51

As a kid, I learned the "RAVEN" mnemonic for these two words: Remember: Affect = Verb Effect = Noun Hope this helps others! Kari

209.✗.✗.126 on 2009-01-20 00:11:00