Affect vs Effect
What’s the difference between them?
Affect
Meaning:
Affect is a verb meaning to influence or produce an effect on something.
Examples:
1. His rude behavior had a negative affect on everyone in the room.
2. The increasing popularity of the show has had an affect on merchandise sales.
3. Her personality had a profound affect on all of those who knew her.
Effect
Meaning:
Effect is a noun that refers to a change that results from an action or cause, an influence, or a result.
Examples:
1. The effect of the new policy was immediate.
2. The drug had an unexpected effect on his health.
3. The noise had a calming effect on her.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Affect
1. influence
2. change
3. modify
4. sway
5. shape
1. Disregard
2. Ignore
3. Unconcern
4. Neglect
5. Inapplicable
Effect
1. Result
2. Consequence
3. Outcome
4. Impression
5. Impact
1. Cause
2. Inaction
3. Impairment
4. Neglect
5. Inefficiency
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "affect", "effect".
1. Remember that 'affect' is an action verb, while 'effect' is a noun.
2. Think of 'affect' as something that causes an 'effect,' which is the result of the action.
3. Use a mnemonic device to help remember the difference, such as 'Affect is A+F+F+E+C+T, Effect is E+F+F+E+C+T.'
4. Substitute synonyms to help remember the difference. For example, 'affect' can be substituted with 'influence,' while 'effect' can be substituted with 'consequence.'
5. Write down examples sentences to help you remember the difference. For example, 'The weather affected our plans' or 'The effect of the storm was devastating.'
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
When to use the first word 'affect'?
Affect is typically used as a verb, meaning to influence or have an effect on something. It can also be used as a noun to describe an emotion or feeling. For example, 'The stress affected her health.' or 'The student's attitude had an affect on the rest of the class.'
When to use the second word 'effect'?
Effect is typically used as a noun, meaning the result of an action or a change. For example, 'The effect of the medicine was immediate.' or 'The effect of his words was profound.'
Do the words have the same pronunciation?
No, the words are pronounced differently. Affect is pronounced with a short 'a' sound (ah-fect) while effect is pronounced with a long 'e' sound (ee-fect).
What are common mistakes associated with words 'affect,' 'effect'?
The most common mistake when using these words is confusing them and using them interchangeably. It is important to remember that affect is a verb and effect is a noun. Additionally, the pronunciation of the words also differs, so it is important to be aware of this difference.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. The ___ of the tornado was devastating to the town.
2. The ___ of the medication improved his mood.
3. He was unable to ___ his anger.
4. The changes had ______ negatively on her.
5. He was concerned about the ___ the change would have.
6. She was able to ___ the situation.
1. The effect of the tornado was devastating to the town.
Explanation: Effect is used to describe the result or outcome of something, in this case, the tornado.
2. The effect of the medication improved his mood.
Explanation: Effect is used to describe the result or outcome of something, in this case, the medication.
3. He was unable to affect his anger.
Explanation: Affect is used to describe the influence or impact of something, in this case, his anger.
4. The changes had affected negatively on her.
Explanation: Affect is used to describe the influence or impact of something, in this case, the changes.
5. He was concerned about the effect the change would have.
Explanation: Effect is used to describe the result or outcome of something, in this case, the change.
6. She was able to affect the situation.
Explanation: Affect is used to describe the influence or impact of something, in this case, the situation.
Get a gift by subscribing to our newsletter!
Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.