Affect vs. Effect

Affect (verb)

“Affect” is usually a verb, to influence or cause a change in something or someone. As a verb, affect is an action (both words start with “a”).

Effect (noun, but it can be a verb)

The noun, “effect” refers to the result of some action.

As a verb, “effect” means to bring about, to accomplish. The difference is subtle but important.

Examples:

• Lack of sleep affects a person’s ability to concentrate.
  • (“affects” = makes a difference)
• The effect of not sleeping is an inability to concentrate.
  • (“effect” = result, consequence)

• The drought affected all the crops in the area.
  • (Dry conditions kept the crops from growing as normal.)
• The farmers all felt the effect of the drought. Some did not even try to harvest their crop.
  • (The effect or result of the dry conditions was a crop disaster.)

• The bad harvest affected the storekeepers in the town.
  • (With no harvest, the farmers spent little money, causing a decrease in business.)
• The good rains that fell the next year effected a change in everyone’s attitude.
  • (“effected” as a verb = brought about or accomplished a change)

Credits: Photo by Alexa Soh, Photo by Falaq Lazuardi on Unsplash