Affect vs. Effect: Understanding the Difference and Choosing the Right Word

Affect vs. Effect: Definitions and Alternatives

Sometimes, even the most experienced writers can mix up words. Understanding their meaning and exploring alternatives can help.

Affect is a verb and means “to influence.” The top definition of affect in Merriam-Webster is “to produce an effect upon (someone or something).” It’s usually read as neutral. If you want a verb that evokes a negative feeling, try upset or disturb; if you want a positive verb, try inspire or sway. If you want a stronger verb, try alter or transform. The word affect can also function as a noun, though that use is usually limited to psychology.

Effect is a noun and means “the result” or “consequence.” The top definition of effect in Merriam-Webster is “something that inevitably follows an antecedent (such as a cause or agent).” It’s usually read as neutral. If you want a noun that evokes a negative feeling, try repercussion or aftermath; if you want a positive noun, try upshot or outcome. If you want a stronger noun, try consequence. Effect can also be a verb meaning “to bring about a result,” but this usage is less common. You’ll know you need the noun effect if you have an article (an or the) before it.

Affect vs. Effect: Examples

Examples can help you get a feel for correct usage. We’ve provided 10 of each.

Here are examples of affect as a verb:

1. Jeanne’s sudden passing affected her mother deeply.
2. Social and political issues affect everybody.
3. Hurricane Ida has affected residents in Louisiana and Mississippi since its landfall.
4. The farmer’s story affected me and my family.
5. There's something about this city that affects you in a certain way.
6. Kenneth’s all-nighters affected his sleeping patterns.
7. Lockdown restrictions during the pandemic have affected everyone’s daily lives.
8. The crackdown on Chinese celebrity fan culture will affect chaotic online fan communities.
9. Diabetes statistics from 2018 show that the condition is affecting 2 million Americans.
10. The recent water shortage affected residents in downtown Miami.

Here are examples of effect as a noun:

1. Drinking too much alcohol can have negative effects on your health.
2. I loved the special effects in the Star Wars movies.
3. The poison didn’t have a lasting effect on the prince.
4. Some medications produce side effects.
5. News stories can have a huge effect on public opinion.
6. The sleeping pill’s effect wore off after a while.
7. The new laws will take effect on Monday.
8. Joseph’s criminal record had a significant effect on his track and field performance.
9. The lawyer’s words had no effect on Jane.
10. Our city is trying to reverse the effects of air pollution.

Here are some examples of the industry-specific exceptions:

1. In law: This legislation will effect
2. In psychology: People experiencing depression often exhibit flat affect.
3. In business: Employees on business trips will receive per-diem payments for the purchase of personal effects.

Try These 5 Tricks to Remember the Difference between Affect and Effect

Still stumped? Try these five tricks to help you choose the right word.

Affect vs. Effect Trick #1 – Word Association:
A is for action (affect); E is for end result (effect).

Affect vs. Effect Trick #2 – RAVEN Memory Trick:
Try the “RAVEN” mnemonic, which stands for: R – Remember; A - Affect is a; V – Verb; E - Effect is a; N - Noun

Affect vs. Effect Trick #3 – Rhyme the Rule:
In Helpful Hints for Technical Writing, J. H. Dawson writes: “Use affect as a verb that starts with an a; use effect as a noun and you won't go astray!”

Affect vs. Effect Trick #4 – Play with Words:
In the Redbook: A Manual on Legal Style, Bryan A. Garner writes: “To affect something is to have an effect on it.”

Affect vs. Effect Trick #5 – Try a Word Swap:
Replace affect or effect with another word. It’ll help you know whether you’ve used these words correctly.

• • Example: “Your story affected ” → “Your story moved me.”
  • Example: “Student walk-outs were the effect of the university’s move to change its policies.” → “Student walk-outs were the result of the university’s move to change its policies.”

Using Context to Choose the Right Word

If memory tricks don’t work for you, try using context cues to choose the right word. For example, if you’re writing about changing or influencing someone in the future, an ongoing process, or a work-in-progress, you’re probably referring to activity and the best choice will be affect as a verb. Still not sure? Look for a person or an organization doing some work. You know affect as a verb is the right choice when it describes something that influences a person or scenario.

If you’re writing about something that has already happened, you’re probably referring to the outcome and the best choice will be effect as a noun. Still not sure? Look for an if/then situation or cause-and-effect chain of events. You know effect as a noun is the right choice when you’re discussing possible outcomes. You can use effect with the following words: the, any, an, into, on, take, or (but you can’t use them with affect).

Refine Your Writing Further

Even if you’re using affect and effect correctly, you may be able to further tighten or streamline your writing in sentences involving these words. Here are examples of how WordRake editing software improves wordy constructions with affect and effect:

WordRake edits use affect to remove nominalizations

1. Some social scientists argue that media has a direct effect on directly affects our thoughts and behaviors.
2. The researchers found that the subjects' serum iron levels has no effect on did not affect their tolerance of the study drug.
3. Because of rampant corruption, the country's efforts to finance public education have never had the expected effects on affected literacy or graduation rates.
4. The policy change will not have an effect over affect our general operations.
5. The plaintiffs have not shown that it had any impact on affected the merger consideration.
6. Dissenters claim that our decision in Wagner has no bearing on does not affect this case.

WordRake edits remove effect/affect for more concise phrasing

1. Lead adversely affects hurts children's cognitive and behavioral development.
2. The Investor represents that it is familiar with SEC Rule 144, as presently in effect, and understands the resale limitations imposed thereby and by the Act.
3. In effect, the The payment would replace a cost-of-living increase for Social Security beneficiaries next year.
4. The effect of this language is to grant This language grants federal courts exclusive subject matter jurisdiction over this dispute.
5. The Court required the Trustee to have the Central Authority for Quebec effectuate service of process upon serve Mr. Defendant.

Conclusion

Don’t let anything get in the way of your message. Miscues and misunderstandings from the wrong word choice can make readers question your knowledge. Avoiding these errors is easy when you know what you want to say—and when you have an on-call editor to help. In one click, WordRake analyzes your writing and suggests edits for clarity and brevity, right in Microsoft Word or Outlook. Try WordRake free for 7 days.

About the Author

Ivy B. Grey is the Chief Strategy & Growth Officer for WordRake. Prior to joining the team, she practiced bankruptcy law for ten years. In 2020, Ivy was recognized as an Influential Woman in Legal Tech by ILTA. She has also been recognized as a Fastcase 50 Honoree and included in the Women of Legal Tech list by the ABA Legal Technology Resource Center. Follow Ivy on Twitter @IvyBGrey or connect with her on LinkedIn.