Definition | ||
Affect | Effect | |
To impact To changeTo influence | The result of a change | |
Verb (usually) | Noun (usually) |
Examples
The following examples capture the common usage of affect and effect.The disease only affects dogs.
The disease had the effect of making the dog sleepy.
The disease had the effect of making the dog sleepy.
Did the tax affect your decision to leave?
The new tax had a disastrous effect on innovation.
The new tax had a disastrous effect on innovation.
Technology affects culture.
The smart phone didn't have much effect on his life.
The smart phone didn't have much effect on his life.
She tried to affect policy.
Her effect on policy was minimal.
Her effect on policy was minimal.
The mistake did not affect results.
The effect of the mistake was minimal.
The effect of the mistake was minimal.
Her affect on him was obvious.
The cause of the strange effect was unknown.
The cause of the strange effect was unknown.
The moon affects the Earth.
The gravitational pull of the moon creates effects such as tides.
The gravitational pull of the moon creates effects such as tides.
The communication affected their image.
They issued a statement to the effect that it was not their problem.
They issued a statement to the effect that it was not their problem.
The boredom affected her concentration.
They took away his access in effect banning him from the conference.
They took away his access in effect banning him from the conference.
Exceptions
Effect is occasionally used as a verb but only in combination with certain nouns, particularly the noun "change."Henry was determined to effect change.
Affect is occasionally used as a noun to mean an "emotional response".The movie had no affect on her but he was moved.
Exceptions | ||
Affect | Effect | |
An emotional response or impact. | To bring about [change] | |
Noun (rarely) | Verb (rarely) |