Effect vs. Affect

Effect

“Effect” is usually a noun, the result of an action.

As a verb, “effect” means to bring about, to accomplish.

Think in terms of cause and effect.

Affect

“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”).

“Affect” creates the “effect” (alphabetically, “a” comes before “e,” so the action comes before the result).

Examples:

• The cause of the drought was known only to the weatherman, but the effect was no crops for the farmers.
• The 40-mph winds affected everything on the picnic table, so the effect was food all over the ground.
  • (“affect” = action, moved the food, “effect” = result, food on the ground)
• The music affected him and calmed him down.
  • (“affect” = verb, causing a reaction)
• The effect of the music was that he calmed down.
  • (“effect” = result)
• Measles can affect the hearing.
  • (“affect” = verb, causing a reaction, in this case, negative)
• The effect of losing the last game was a no-win season.
  • (“effect” = result)
• The gardener effected a change in the shrubbery when he pruned away the dead branches.
  • (“effect” = verb, brought about, accomplished)
• What can we do to effect a change in this world?
  • (“effect” = verb, bring about, accomplish)

Credit: Photo by Nick Nice, Photo by Phillip Flores on Unsplash