Every day writers choose between affect and effect, so this short guide keeps their uses clear and gives examples for quick reference.
Affect
Use affect as a verb meaning "to influence" when describing an action that changes something.
La nueva política afectará los horarios de los empleados a partir de la próxima semana.
Effect
Use effect as a noun meaning "a result" when naming the outcome of a change or influence.
Affect as a Noun
Rarely, affect appears as a noun in psychology to mean an observable emotion; stay alert to context.
Effect as a Verb
Use effect as a verb when meaning "to bring about" a change or to implement something, typically in formal settings.
Key Differences
Remember: affect is usually a verb for influence, and effect is usually a noun for result; switching them can change meaning.
Signal Words
Signal words like "because," "result," and "change" help identify whether to use affect (verb) or effect (noun) in a sentence.
Summary
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025