How to Use Affect and Effect

Last Updated: October 25, 2022

Do you have trouble deciding when to use affect and when to use effect? This is a common and understandable problem in English because the two words sound remarkably similar (if not identical) and have related - though distinct - meanings. Luckily, it's easy to learn the difference and avoid mistaking these two words. See Step 1 below to get started!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using "Affect" Properly

1
Use "affect" as a verb meaning "to influence" or "to cause a change." Though "affect" has multiple meanings, its most common use is as a verb with a meaning similar to "produce." Typically, when people want to say that one thing has had an impact on another, they will use the verb "affect."^{[1]
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Research source} To distinguish this meaning of the word "affect" from "effect", use the following mnemonic: "When I affect something, I produce an effect'.'
- Below are a few examples of the word "affect" being used in this way:
  - It's hard to say how the price of gasoline will affect the economy in the long run.
  - Growing up with three older sisters affected me greatly as a person.
  - When someone affects you strongly, you may develop affection for them. (Notice in this example that the root of affection is affect.)
2
Use "affect" as a verb meaning "to pretend" or "to put on airs." People also use the word "affect" when someone acts in a way that's different from how s/he normally acts. If someone assumes a new personality or look, s/he is "affecting" his or her new traits.^{[2]
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Research source}
- Below are a few examples of the word "affect" being used in this way:
  - Richard affected an attitude of indifference, though he was deeply hurt by the comments.
  - In her role as Lady Macbeth, Sally, normally jovial, was able to affect a cold sneer of cruelty.
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3
Use "affect" as a noun meaning "mood" or "mental state." Finally, the word "affect" is sometimes used to describe the way someone seems or acts - often in a psychological sense. Someone's "affect" can be thought of roughly as the way s/he externally "seems."^{[3]
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Research source}
- Below are a few examples of the word "affect" being used in this way:
  - The gambler's flat, emotionless affect served him well at the poker table.
  - Dr. Robertson noted that the patient's affect had responded well to the regimen of anti-psychotics.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using "Effect" Properly

1
Use "effect" as a noun meaning "the result of a cause." When people misuse "affect" with an "A", they often intended this meaning of "effect" with an "E." An "effect" in this sense is the opposite of a cause - an event that happens because of some other precipitating event happening.^{[4]
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Research source}
- Below are a few examples of the word "effect" being used in this way:
  - It's hard to say what effect the rising price of gasoline will have on the world economy.
  - One undesirable effect of not wearing shoes is getting really dirty feet.
  - The hurricane caused countless tragedies and many victims are still feeling its depressing effects.
2
Use "effect" as a noun with a meaning similar to "impression." Another meaning of the word "effect" is related to the impression or sensation that a person, thing, or event produces. These "effects" can be psychological, physical, or emotional.
- Below are a few examples of the word "effect" being used in this way:
  - Dvorak's New World Symphony produced a moving effect on the listeners in the auditorium.
  - The experimental drug is known to have a calming effect on rats, though it is not yet ready for human trials.
3
Use "effect" as a verb meaning "to bring about." This meaning of "effect" is tricky because it can be used similarly to the word "affect" with the meaning "to cause or influence."^{[5]
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Research source} The two words are nearly interchangeable, though maintain slightly different meanings - "effect" implies a cause bringing about or accomplishing a change, whereas "affect" implies a cause or force altering something.
- Below are a few examples of the word "effect" being used in this way:
  - The CEO demanded that the employees work overtime to effect a complete overhaul of the company's product line.
  - Her actions in the War Room effected a change in the situation on the battlefield.
4
Use "effect" as a noun meaning "personal possession." Finally, one somewhat out-of-style use of the word "effect" is to convey the idea of someone's private possessions - his or her wallet, phone, keys, mementos, jewelry, diary, and so on. In this case, "effect" as almost always used in its plural form, as in "personal effects."
- Below are a few examples of the word "effect" being used in this way:
  - His personal effects were scattered across the kitchen but the man himself was nowhere to be found.
  - The little girl skipped through the forest, choosing rocks and flowers as her personal effects as she went.

Community Q&A

Question

Does a contract "stay in affect" with an extension or "stay in effect"?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Effect.
Question

Affect or Effect in this sentence? "We will continue to communicate without affect for the rest of our lives."

Community Answer

If you mean without emotion, "affect" is correct. If you mean without impact, it would be "effect."
Question

"Robben didn't think the comedy show would effect him so much, but after two jokes his stomach hurt."

Community Answer

It should be "affect." Always plug the meaning of the word into the sentence and see if it makes sense if you're not sure. To affect is to influence or impact. To effect is to bring about or cause to happen. This make sense: "Robben didn't think the comedy show would impact him so much, but after two jokes his stomach hurt." This doesn't make sense: "Robben didn't think the comedy show would bring him about so much, but after two jokes his stomach hurt."