4-English On The Go: Affect or effect?

 

Affect and effect are two words that are commonly confused and misused. 

Take a look at affect first.  

To affect means to produce a change in someone or something. Affect is commonly used as a verb.   

The new laws will affect all citizens.

The rain affected our plans for the day.  

The drought affected the crops.  

Affect can also be used as a noun. And as a noun, it can refer to an emotion or feeling. Affect is usually used this way in the study of psychology or psychiatry. So, not in everyday English.  

She has a very shallow affect. 

On the other hand, effect can mean the result of something. It is commonly used as a noun. 

The sun has a bad effect on our skin.  

Grammar mistakes have a negative effect on our writing.  

The drought has had a nasty effect on the crops. 

In some contexts, effect can be used as a verb. To effect can mean to bring about. Again, it's not that common and often used in formal settings only. 

We want to effect change in the local community. 

In general, it's more common to use affect as a verb and effect as a noun. There are many tricks you can use to use remember the difference.  

TRICK 1:

• The A in Affect stands for Actions. And verbs often describe actions.
• So affect is used as the verb. 
• E in Effect stands for the End (result)
• Effect means the result of something

TRICK 2: 

Think of a black Raven.

• Remember
• Affect
• Verb
• Effect
• Noun

We hope this lesson has had a good effect on you and not affected your interest in grammar!