Affect vs Effect
In English, affect and effect serve different roles: affect is usually a verb meaning to influence, while effect is usually a noun meaning the result. This guide explains when to use each word and highlights exceptions.
Affect
Affect is typically a verb that means to influence or change something. Use affect when describing an action that alters a condition, feeling, or behavior.
Examples
| English Example | English Explanation |
|---|---|
| ☹️ The news deeply affected her mood. | The news changed her feelings. |
| 🧪 The new policy affected everyone's workflow. | The policy influenced how work was done. |
| 🌧️ The storm affected the travel plans. | The storm caused changes in plans. |
| 🏃♂️ Lack of sleep affected his performance. | Sleep deprivation impaired his ability. |
More Examples
| English Example | English Explanation |
|---|---|
| 📉 Rising costs affected the company’s profits. | Costs influenced financial results. |
| 🧍♀️ Her kind words affected the entire team. | The words moved the team emotionally. |
| ⚠️ Road closures affected the delivery schedule. | Closures disrupted timing. |
| 🍽️ The shortage of ingredients affected the menu. | The shortage limited options. |
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Effect
Effect is usually a noun that refers to the result or outcome of a change. Use effect when naming the consequence of an action.
Examples
| English Example | English Explanation |
|---|---|
| 💡 The effect of the training was increased productivity. | The result was more output. |
| 🔔 A loud noise had the effect of stopping the conversation. | The noise caused everyone to pause. |
| 🌱 The fertilizer had a positive effect on the plants. | The plants grew better. |
| 🏆 One small change had a big effect on sales. | The change led to much higher sales. |
More Examples
| English Example | English Explanation |
|---|---|
| 📈 The effect of the new marketing was immediate. | Results improved right away. |
| 🛠️ Fixing the bug had the effect of speeding up the app. | The app ran faster after the fix. |
| 🎨 The lighting had the effect of making the room feel cozy. | The lights created a warm atmosphere. |
| 🔐 Adding a password had the effect of increasing security. | Security was improved. |
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Exceptions
In rare cases, effect can be a verb meaning to bring about or to cause something to happen, typically in formal contexts. Conversely, affect can function as a noun in psychology to describe an observable expression of emotion, though this usage is uncommon.
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Summary
Remember: use affect as a verb for influence (the action) and effect as a noun for the result (the thing). When in doubt, see if you can substitute influence for affect and result for effect to test which word fits.
Last updated: Tue Sep 16, 2025