Affected vs Effected

Effected means executed, produced, or brought about. For example, The dictatorial regime quickly effected changes to the constitution that restricted the freedom of the people. On the other hand, affected means impacted. It is the past tense of the verb form of affect means to impact. For example, Carbon di-oxide emissions affected the environment.

So we can say that "The dictatorial regime quickly effected changes to the constitution that affected the freedom of the people."

Comparison chart

Improve this chart	Affected	Effected
Meaning:	"Affected" means "impacted, created an effect on, changed in a certain way."	"Effected" means "executed, brought about, produced something."
Example:	The BP oil spill adversely affected marine wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding areas.	After the BP oil spill, the government effected (brought about, executed) sweeping environmental regulation.

edit Examples

The blasts at the Boston marathon in April 2013 affected the people of the city deeply but they refused to be terrorized.
Towns in a 20 mile radius around the nuclear power plant in Japan were affected by the accident during the earthquake.
The teenager's excessive video game playing affected (impacted) his grades.
After the BP oil spill, the government effected (brought about, executed) sweeping environmental regulation.
The BP oil spill adversely affected marine wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding areas.
The 2008 financial crisis led the government to effect changes in how financial institutions (like banks and credit unions) are regulated.
Sales for Apple's iPhone 4 were not affected by the problems with its antenna.
Sally's nervous temperament affected both her SAT and ACT scores.
Tragedy struck on 9/11 and our condolences to all the people who were affected by the attack.

edit Tip

You can affect something that already exists; but when you effect (verb form) something, you usually bring it into existence.

edit See Also

It should be noted that the more common use of the word "effect" is as a noun and not as a verb. On the other hand, the more common use of "affect" is as a verb. People often do not know the differences between

Comments: Affected vs Effected

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Anonymous comments

this made me want to cry ive been searching for this answer my enitre life. i am bed bath and beyond done with all the tormented nights trying to decipher the difference between affect and effect. I am free. I am FREE. You are my spirit animal.
216.✗.✗.42 on 2013-05-06 18:18:03

wow this was fascinating thank you for making this god bless you xoxo -gossip girl
216.✗.✗.42 on 2013-05-06 18:15:49

I will have you beaten with a stick, 205.✗.✗.139 on 2013-02-25 20:37:23!!!!
63.✗.✗.194 on 2013-04-30 17:46:00

Wow this actually helped!
76.✗.✗.204 on 2013-04-19 02:34:32

With half of the world using the words incorrectly, the idea that there is a correct usage becomes suspect. I will continue to effect change, regardless of the affect on others, but in reality the entire argument is an affectation.
205.✗.✗.139 on 2013-02-25 20:37:23

For bonus points, Affect vs. Effect: Go!
64.✗.✗.53 on 2012-12-12 20:10:25

It's an ego thing. People who are not very smart know it, on some level. And they feel a constant need to prove otherwise. Any appearance of stupidity is a threat to the illusion they've worked so hard to project. So, defensively, they'll be the first ones to tell you that the topic is stupid/useless/silly and you're wasting your time. Remember "This shit is so stupid. Who cares?" translates into "This is really complicated and I have trouble understanding it. I am afraid that this makes me stupid so I'm too embarrassed to admit it" After all, if they really didn't care they wouldn't have posted.
174.✗.✗.15 on 2012-09-24 20:19:58

To Chris Cook... right on, why don't we just go back to grunting. The words have entirely different meanings. It's like saying that choosing between the words "pen" and "pin" is just a game. Sure you could write "ink pin" and people would probably guess your meaning, but probably even you would be embarrassed to write that. Don't act like looking foolish doesn't have any significance among practical minded street-wise folks like yourself.
31.✗.✗.1 on 2012-08-18 23:53:18

Passive vs. active. You can effect a change in your life by action, but you are affected by the actions of others. One you do yourself, the other is done to you.
71.✗.✗.76 on 2012-07-03 14:10:08

Impacted is not a replacement for affected! Impacted is an adjective.
64.✗.✗.53 on 2011-07-07 23:30:53

In effect, you are absolutely right in your examples. I hope more as people read your article, they will be affected by the importance of correct grammar! Thanks!
70.✗.✗.66 on 2011-02-09 20:48:49

I was posting a comment on the BP Oil spill, and just wanted to clear it up before I looked ignorant, and you had an example of BP Oil Spill phrase. IT'S FATE! Anyways, any tips on my grammar? Ha.
68.✗.✗.205 on 2010-09-19 05:43:42

This is probably the best page on this website
86.✗.✗.214 on 2009-10-25 23:43:31