Hands typing on a black typewriter standing on a wooden desk with balls of paper discarded on the side. ORDER NOW

Affect vs Effect Issue — Grammatical and Lexical Breakdown


Which one of these sentences is correct?

  • Melting of the snow AFFECTED climate change.
  • Melting of the snow has an EFFECT on climate change.

We won't tease you. The majority agree both of them must be correct from the grammatical standpoint.

When we are giving these examples, the choice of the word seems so evident to you, doesn't it? But one day, you might face a dilemma: when should you use one of these two words in a context?

The example sentences show that effect and affect seem to convey relatively close meanings. How do you choose then? The ambiguity might be caused by the fact that many people pronounce them almost in the same way. Yes, these words are tricky. And when you need to spell them, that is where the fun begins.

This is why we have worked out writing tips on the usage of affect vs effect. We will show you how these commonly confused words could be distinguished easily with a couple of tricks. So get a piece of paper or open a notepad to make some notes.

People often confuse the so-called homophones. On the one hand, people hear them in almost the same way, but, on the other hand, their written forms are different. Usually, a single letter in a word can make a difference. You should decide which of the two homophones to use in the specific sentence, depending on the context and purposes of your message. In this post, you’ll find out how to decide which part of speech it is time to use and how different these words are (as well as when to use each of them in the text).

What's the Difference?

Affect is a verb meaning the act, while the other word is a noun meaning result.

To illustrate the difference between these commonly used words more clearly, here is an example.

Bob and Mike are two kids playing in a sandbox. They are making sandcastles—Bob ruins (affects the castle in this case) Mike's castle. Mike bursts into tears in his turn (and this is the effect of an influence on the castle, meaning Mike's cry is the end result of Bob's actions).

To put it plainly, when you are talking about an urge to influence something or somebody in order to produce the desired result, you should use the word affect.

When you are describing the outcome or result of a certain influence, that would be the word starting with an "e."

How do you remember the difference in the use of these words? We are suggesting using the power of association.

  • A-ffect stands for A-ction — both words start with the same letter. The meaning of action is conveyed through verbs. So affect is a verb.
  • E-ffect might stand for hypothetical E-motion that might arise due to the outcome. Emotion is mainly represented by nouns. So, in this case, it is a noun.

Why Affect vs Effect Matters: Never-ending Debate

It is simple to confuse these words. It is easy to differentiate them on paper, but they sound pretty much alike when one spells them out (so, the oral form stokes the debate). It is time to finish the affect vs effect battle. One may say that the first word stands for a noun while the second one is a verb. However, while it is obvious with the first word, that is not 100% true; the word “e-ffect” can belong to different parts of the speech categories. An effect is the outcome of a change.

To end the affect vs effect debate, a person should consider specific cases and fixed phrases that contradict the general rules of use. To avoid confusion in different types of writing, especially academic, business, and technical, it is necessary to see the difference between the two words. A writer must find out more about the intricacies of how to apply the words affect vs effect efficiently. Is something done e-ffectively? Or is it done a-ffectively? Even when it comes to adjectives, it makes one hesitate.

The first hint if you wish to ensure that your work looks good is to use one of the available grammar-checking tools. Such software can prevent writers from facing grammar, spelling, punctuation errors, and some other pitfalls that might be an obstacle on your way to the highest score and appreciation. We should have a look at the affect vs effect in a sentence later in this post to help you memorize the difference and usage.

When to Use Affect

Affect is a verb and denotes an action. Use it in these situations:

  • To impact the person or thing to cause the change.
    • Overhydration affected the flower.
  • To make an impression on someone or provoke feelings.
    • The movie affected her deeply.
  • To pretend to have certain feelings or emotions.
    • She affected ignorance when she was asked about the car accident.

When to Use Effect

Here, this word is a noun that means a result of a change. It stands for:

  • The outcome of a particular influence
    • Direct sunlight has a negative effect on the skin.
  • The use of something
    • The new driving laws come into effect this summer.
  • A distinctive impression
    • The earings give off an effect of antique jewelry because of the polishing.

Mind the Exceptions of Affect Vs Effect!

English is a tricky language because of all the exceptions. A single rule might have dozens of them. Where would we be without those exceptions?!

So, giving you guidelines like, "use affect and effect as a verb and a noun" is unfair. The English language has mixed everything up. You should know that "affect" can be used as a noun, while the other can become action. These tricky words have different meanings when switched to some other part of a sentence.

Affect as a noun

Affect stands for an instantly expressed emotion like euphoria, anger, or sadness. This term is mostly used in psychological jargon. However, you should bear in mind the use of "affect" as a noun is also possible.

Example:

Her affect doesn't mean anything! She was too scared to control her feelings.

Effect as a verb

The e-word as a verb means to accomplish something, make something happen, or put something in operation.

Example:

The government effected radical measures to prevent water pollution.

These are rare instances when the word roles are switched. But those who are aware of these cases will be prepared for anything.

How a Simple Mistake Can Ruin Everything

The misuse of these words will not affect your performance heavily when you are a student. The worst thing that can happen is the grade will be reduced because of the lexical error. But it might have an effect on your reputation because the blooper can generate the wrong impression in the teacher's mind. If you make such an obvious error, how can you grasp other more difficult material?

Effect vs Affect: Main Takeaways to Keep in Mind

Many applications for writing are free of charge. However, if you wish to get the most accurate results, you might have to choose paid subscriptions or hire professional writers. Still, the idea is to explain to you how to avoid making such mistakes. It is crucial knowledge for you in the future, no matter what you plan to do with your life and where you’re going to work. Here are the main takeaways that can help you:

  • If “e-ffect” belongs to a noun, it refers to the outcomes of some modifications;
  • Both words can be nouns and verbs in different cases;
  • In case the a-word is a noun, it stands for a specific behavior, mood, feeling, expression, etc.;
  • Despite the rare cases, the a-word most often is a verb, and it refers to some changes;
  • To e-ffect means to lead to some changes;
  • These two have never been actual homophones. It means that the words aren’t pronounced identically;
  • Mnemonic tools can assist students with memorizing affect vs effect definition, as well as what makes them different. RAVEN is one of such devices.

Thus, in case A affects B, B faces the effect of what A does. You may need a good example of effect vs affect in a sentence:

Johnny jumps at Michael the second the boy hits the ground. Johnny affects the position and location of Michael. Michael, being injured and all in tears, is the e-ffect of Johnny’s urge to hurt his buddy, intentionally or unintentionally. Because Johnny took a specific action, it makes us realize that a verb should be used here, so it is time to pick the a-word The outcome (e-ffect) of that action is “injury” and “tears,” both nouns that cause Michael harm and pain. Johnny makes him feel uncomfortable.

In case you hesitate when to use effect vs affect in a specific context, know that many people have the same problem.

Affect vs Effect Definition: What Does It Stand for?

So, how should one know when it is the right time to insert the correct word? Is there a secret or common knowledge about it? Per the effect vs affect definition, it is the debate, in which two sides try to understand and interpret cases when each of these words should be used. In a nutshell, the first word is always a noun, while the second one is a verb, but with some nuances. These parts of speech are the major ones, and that is why you should be able to make a difference between the two words in any situation.

With the help of pronunciation guides and samples of writing, it is possible to break down every point. Once again, if you have serious doubts, you may hire a proofreader and editor to ensure the quality of your content. Sometimes, the examples of affect vs effect in a sentence might not be enough to get the main idea.

In effect vs affect debate, it is critical to remember that these are various parts of speech. Those are pairs that sound similarly. However, they mean different things, and you should not confuse them if you want the reader to understand you. We want to stress once more that these words are not homophones though they sound alike, they are not identical in pronunciation. If you need more examples of pure homophones, consider here and hear, accept and except, or write and right.

Why does this issue matter in writing and public speaking?

The most wide-spread usage for the a-word is a verb. If you need some effect vs affect examples, we can provide the following sentences, “Cinematography a-ffects humans in various ways.” Another example would be, “The success of Mary’s college application a-ffected Jimmy’s chances of entering the target school.”

Almost always, the a-word serves as a verb. However, there are always some exceptions to almost any rule, and there are some cases when “affect” is used as a noun. Some more affect vs effect examples will help you to clarify this situation, “Jake demonstrates a brighter affect once he drinks Red Bull or other energetic drinks.” There are many interesting yet confusing things about the English language. Well, in many languages, words that sound or even are written in the same way may refer to various definitions.

When to Use Affect vs Effect: Different Cases

So, how to remember affect vs effect rules? The primary tip that is useful for differentiating the two words is to make it clear how each of them is pronounced. That is how one may decide whether they should apply a noun or a verb. To answer this question, if you use the word as a noun, emphasize the first syllable — AH-fekt; in the second case, emphasize the second syllable — uh-FEKT.

So, when to use affect vs effect? The best situation is when something is done, both e-ffectively and a-ffectively. It might be a bit of both, but the primary idea is to discover the differences between these words (as the similarities are already known). Effective might refer to “successful,” depending on the context. In the context of grammar, success is the main objective.

Free Affect vs Effect Examples to Help You Understand the Lesson

Now, it is time to focus more on “affect.” As we have admitted, it deals more with impact on something or modifications. One of the effect vs affect examples could be, “The tsunami affected the population of the small Japanese town by the ocean; many people are lost without a sign.” Another good example would be “Becoming the top high school cheerleader affected Jasmine’s academic performance.” And one more example is, “The laser surgery side effects will affect your eyes for about one week.” This mnemonic will also help you: A stands for action. Verbs always refer to doing something/acting, and A is the first letter in “affect,” and that is why it is a verb. Easy!

  1. “Gravity affects everything in the world, but its quantity affecting a specific item depends on the distance between the shapes and their masses.”
  2. “The team couldn’t afford to save their buddies; the foes were spreading poisonous gas around the area, and all the SWAT members were affected by it.”
  3. “In order to keep away from high school bullying, parents and teams of teachers take into account how different factors affect different students, as well as how they are treated at home and whether they face any stressful situations.”

In the second example above, the SWAT members are “affected” as they are influenced by the poisonous gas that their enemies spread all around. However, there is an emotional factor behind it. In case an individual is affected by a certain occasion, it means that the e-ffect is on the emotional or psychological level.

These examples should help you to understand when to use effect vs affect. So, what would you say if you or someone else was impacted by something? Right, in this case, you should involve the usage of the word “affect” and all of the related forms of this verb (we mean the corresponding tenses).

E-ffect vs. A-ffect Words in Different Context

We have discussed the verb out of these two words. It is time to talk more about the second word, which is a noun. In the effect vs affect debate, it is critical to keep in mind the definitions of both of these parts of speech, their usage, and differences between them. While some occasion affects one’s life and development of the specific events, one can feel the effect of that occasion or phenomenon. “The e-ffect of the last earthquake was devastating.”

As a student, you may have written plenty of essays, including a cause and effect element. If you succeed with this type of writing, it should not be a problem for you to see a difference between these two words. The trick is that the word “cause” ends with a letter “e,” while the word “e-ffect” starts with the same letter – meaning, the first word results into another one as their last and first letters are the same. We can call it a noun bridge or transition, which allows memorizing the case easier and faster.

So, “e-ffect” is almost always a noun, and there are no exceptions. “Yesterday Forbes news reported that the recent inflation caused by the quarantine had a negative effect on the country’s economy.” That would be one of the affect vs effect examples where effect is used. One more example could be, “Every action leads to a certain e-ffect and consequences, so we should weigh every decision carefully.”

What happens if we use “e-ffect” as a verb? It would then sound something like, “The latest hobby club invented by the students who live on this campus had a positive e-ffect on supporting cultural diversity in college.” That is another great effect vs affect example.

Apart from the effect vs affect examples, you have to realize the spelling and pronunciation as they are both a bit different. Pronounce the word “e-ffect” the same way, no matter if it serves as a noun or a verb in the particular context. Do not forget to emphasize the second syllable — ee-FEKT. We have more examples for you!

  1. “Tech advancements implemented in class may benefit teachers and students by speeding up the learning process and making in-class and after-class communication more e-ffective. But other e-ffects of the active device and internet usage will be less benign.”
  2. “The most common side e-ffects of antidepressants include insomnia, blurred vision, fatigue, dry mouth, weight gain, sexual problems, and they affect the digestive system a lot.”
  3. “By doing so, Abraham Lincoln e-ffectively isolated the Confederacy and eliminated the body that was the root of all evil.”

The second example of the effect vs. affect debate shows how both words can be used in the same sentence and have different purposes. As for the last example, we use “effectively” instead of “effect,” which is an adverb – another possible usage of the word, but you have to change it a bit.

How to Remember Affect vs Effect: Smart Tips and Tricks

It only seems impossible to remember the proper usage and goals of these two words. However, you might succeed with doing so once you remember the basic tips, and there are just three of them altogether. You know that “A” is the first letter of the English alphabet. How can it help? “E” shows up later in the alphabet, and the idea is that while the opening letter in the English language refers to the action that Affects something, the Effect (the result, the outcome, the consequence) comes after “A.”

Now, in case a writer can remove the word by putting the word “impact” or “influence” instead, it is obvious that the word “affect” should come in this context. Whenever it is possible to change the word to “outcome,” “consequences,” or “result,” the right word choice would be “e-ffect.” So, a verb vs a noun (mostly). Finally, the third rule states that one can and should benefit from using the so-called RAVEN mnemonic device. This learning approach helps to memorize things that might seem complicated or confusing from the first sight, and you’ll easily recognize the necessary info. That way, you’ll learn all the common situations when affect vs. effect have to be used, and you will avoid mistakes. In fact, RAVEN abbreviation stands for five words, as you may guess:

  • Remember
  • Affect
  • Verb
  • Effect
  • Noun

By memorizing this formula, your performance will improve. Remember to keep your eyes on the prize, which is the initial letter of every word that we currently discuss and try to understand. It is possible to jump straight from “cause” to “effect” thanks to the valuable letter “E.” The formulas and simple tips will affect your spelling in the best possible light. In its turn, this skill leads to better grades and writing.

You should not forget about the exceptions. Meaning “effect” is not a noun in 100% cases, while “affect” is not always a verb. Once again, sometimes, you may have to use the first word as a verb, and vice versa – English is easy, but it still has some tricks to remember and understand.

When it comes to “effect” as a verb, one should think about bringing about something. The related words are “modification,” “solution,” “answer,” and “change.” For example, “The rebellions expressed the desire to effect the current legal system and make the laws fair and equal for all.” These people from the sentence wished to offer modifications and upgrades to the existing system, perhaps, by stressing the problem for the government.

In case you pick the word “affect” in the provided situation, it refers to “having an effect on change” or “to influence on updates.” The rebellions aim to “affect modification” try to make a difference by impacting some leverages. That is not, however, as strong as making changes, especially if the local government is corrupt or blind.

We can say that affect vs. effect is one of the harshest debates and most confusing but combined pairs in English. No matter whether you speak US, UK, or AU English, this problem is relevant for everyone whose native language is one of these. Two primary reasons for the confusion exist, and the major one is the pronunciation. Many people get confused when it comes to saying these words out loud, and they might sound similar. Depending on the situation, these two words may serve as both verbs and nouns. You should analyze the context carefully to understand which of the terms to use.

First of all, the word “affect” is a verb in most contexts, and it stands for changing, implementing modification, impacting, or influencing. The second case is when “effect” serves as a noun and stands for the outcome of a modification. “Affect” relates to the connection between mood and action; “effect” also reflects the connection, but between modification and consequences. It is also necessary to consider “effect” and “affect” that are opposing each other and refer to cause (reason) and the result (consequence) correspondingly. These are the most important points to consider when trying to remember affect vs effect usage.

Having a Look at the Example in Detail

“Some time ago, communicating with buddies on the internet, sharing data with each other, and messaging looked pretty much trivial. Nowadays, these activities have turned into a force for critical social changes, empowering populations of the planet to unite and effect innovations using plenty of methods.” This claim taken from Huffington Post is taken from the conversation about the changing role of social media in the lives of people. It is about how this powerful channel of communication impacts those who try to affect changes, meaning that these communities wish to speed up or slow down or even cancel any potential novelties related to the social media activities.

Often, it appears to be simpler to effect changes with a massive Instagram or Twitter community than to affect changes that take place to citizens of different countries due to the active usage of social networking platforms. That is also a great example of irony.

Did the recent economic boom effect or affect you?

What do you think would be the right choice? If you think about “a-ffect,” you have mastered this topic well, as this is the 100% correct answer to this question. You may keep on practicing answering similar questions to make sure you know the subject.

The word “boom” is the subject of the sentence, “Did the recent economic boom e-ffect or a-ffect you?” This sentence has a subject and noun just like any other sentence, and that is why one more noun will not be fitting. We talk about the word “effect.” If we take out the part “e-ffect or a-ffect,” the sentence is incomplete as it lacks a verb – an integral part of a grammatically correct sentence. This part of speech should be represented by the word “a-ffect” in this case. This word is the best one to be used in this context as, when it plays the role of a verb, it stands for “impact” or “change.” That is why “a-ffect” is the appropriate choice here, and by substituting it with “impact,” it makes the sentence sound logical.

So, these two words belong to different parts of speech. They help to navigate and solve many cases of homophone usage and make the right choices when it comes to composing sentences. Turn to the parts of speech each time you hesitate which of the homophones to use. It increases the chances of an accurate result. If you realize that the sentence won’t work without a verb, choose “affect” then, and vice versa.

Can “A-ffect” Be Transformed into an Adjective? When Does It Work?

But “a-ffect” can be modified to “a-ffected” if the context requires an adjective to make sense. It is one of the exceptions. If you pick the word “affected” to use in a specific sentence, you might want to say that something is artificial or created to impress others. It is not a compliment, however. When “affected” is chosen, it stands for making the subject look more significant than it is in reality.

What does it mean? If you act a-ffected, it is different from being a-ffected by external factors on an emotional level. Some literary examples can help you to decide. Here we go:

“The a-ffected location showed adverse consequences of the last tsunami.”

“Mike’s teacher firmly believes that his favorite student was best of all, but his actions used to be a-ffected and illogical from time to time.”

More Examples to Make Your Choice Easier

If you select using “effect” as an adjective, it would not be “effected,” but “effective.” If this word is chosen to be transformed into an adjective, it will mean:

  • Impressive
  • Optimal
  • Achieving the goal
  • Well-prepared to act
  1. "This high school requires an effective anti-bullying policy to prevent students from aggression and violence within its walls.”
  2. “The learning process is more effective when special online tools are used.”

You can formulate an adjective using the a-word and the ending “-ive.” We will get the word “affective,” and it would stand for:

  • Having an impact on feelings;
  • Referring to expression and one’s emotions.
  1. “Gina always used a-ffective gestures when discussing her ex-husband.”
  2. "Given that Mary suffered from Seasonal Affective Disorder, summer had an adverse impact on her.”

The definitions of “affective” relate to the psychological condition of a human. When deciding between these two homophones, “effective” is the right choice for a writer.

Summarizing the Lesson

Once again, apply “a-ffect” as a verb each time you talk about making changes or stressing the differences between something. The latest tech innovation can a-ffect discoveries regarding COVID-19, and failing a research may a-ffect something/someone. You may think about synonyms of “a-ffect” as well. You may replace the word we discuss with one of the following:

  • Alter
  • Improve
  • Impact
  • Change
  • Modify
  • Influence

“Effect,” as we have discussed, is the result of an event that led to a modification. The outcome can be positive or negative. For instance, it is possible to feel the effects of a tornado or hot weather, and your favorite music can have a positive effect on your behavior. The synonyms of “effect” will then include:

  • Repercussion
  • Outcome
  • Result
  • Finding
  • Ending
  • Conclusion
  • Consequence
  • Aftermath
  • Impact

While in the speech, you may confuse these words as they sound identical. Thus, it is not easy to see a difference between these homophones if you have to write a text from the words of a speaker. It is necessary to pronounce these words the way we recommended earlier in this article. If you wish to understand the person you talk to, listen attentively to the pronunciation, trying to understand the concept and message. Keep in mind that “effect” as a word has a more powerful “eh,” like in the word “bed,” while “effect” is heard rather lazily, as “uh-ffect.” Do not rely on these nuances alone as some people do not pronounce these words properly. So, the a-word is pronounced with more of an “ah” or “uh” on the first syllable, while effect has the more obvious “eh.”

  • Mnemonic tools Some effective devices of this type assist with solving the effect vs affect debate. The most commonly used is RAVEN.
  • Common use Most frequently, if you wish to use a verb, a-ffect is the right choice; in case a noun is needed, select “effect.” It usually refers to changing something.
  • Leading with letters Pair the letters in both words with letters of synonyms to memorize the definition of those words. For instance, the a-word means to alter, while effect means the final result.

That is how you decide when to use these words We also recommend taking some online quizzes to find out whether you have mastered and understood this topic. We hope that you won’t have any problems with affect vs effect usage further in your life.

So use our tips! And make it clear for yourself once and for all: "affect" is an action (verb), and "effect" is a notion (noun).

With this, we have two questions for you.

How will this article affect your knowledge scope? What effect do you predict it will have on your vocabulary?

References