Difference Between Affect and Effect

Affect and Effect are two very tricky words that sound pretty similar. Both homophones are being used by people repeatedly in different contexts.

The first syllable of the two words sounds different, which differentiates them from each other.

Key Takeaways

1. Affect is a verb that means to influence or produce a change in something.
2. Effect is a noun that refers to the result of a particular action or event.
3. Affect is the action, while the effect is the result.

Affect vs Effect

The difference between Affect vs Effect is that Affect is pronounced with more laziness, i.e. it has an “uh-ffect” while Effect is a bit stronger with an “uh” effect. In primary English, the term Affect is a verb, while the word Effect is a noun. Affect is generally a verb and implies to change or impact something. An Effect is generally a noun, and it is a result of a change.

Affect and Effect mix up well; thus, people need to know the general phrases and situations where the rules for these words change. Now I hope you all will be able to answer the following question quickly;

Is it Affect or Effect? Since you all learned the fundamental difference between Affect and Effect, now it is time for you to learn the implications and usage of both terms.

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Comparison Table

Parameter of Comparison	Affect	Effect
Meaning	An Affect means to change or make an impact on somebody.	An Effect refers to the consequence of the impact on somebody.
Noun Usage	Affect term can be used to show human emotions as a noun.	Effect term can be used as a noun to depict emotions or feelings after something happened.
Verb Usage	Affect term can be used to depict an impact or change in someone when used as a verb.	Effect term can be used to depict realization as an aftermath of the affect.
Imitates	As a result of something feeling or emotion.	Just the result, i.e. the final output once something has happened.
Latin History	Affect is derivative from the Latin language afficere.	The effect is consequent from the Latin term efficere.
Example of Usage	The TV Show drama has dramatically affected me.	The TV show drama had a significant effect on me.

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What is Affect?

Affect means to produce or influence a change in something or someone. It is usually used as a verb but can be used both as a noun and a verb.

Let us understand different situations where you can use the term affect;

1. To express your feelings or emotions, especially in the medical field or domain.

• Rajesh’s mood is very severely affected after his mother scolded him.
• Vijay’s mood is greatly affected after he wins the prize for his bravery.

2. To express emotions or feelings to someone else.

• Atal’s dance was so good that Riya was severely affected.
• Jaya sang so well that Ram was deeply affected.

3. To impact or affect someone or somebody.

• Chronic disease affects everyone in India.
• Due to heavy rains in Mumbai, complete road transportation is heavily affected.

Let us understand the concept with a few examples one by one;

1. The shrinkage in the Diesel price will slightly affect the purchasing power of people in Delhi.
2. Demonetization has affected India’s economy.

Thus, we must not forget that affect can also be used as a noun that implies observable expressions of feelings or emotions such as gestures, postures and facial expressions.

 

What is Effect?

The effect is the noun, which implies the result of a change in something or somebody. So, if a situation affects your life expectancy, you will unquestionably feel its effect.

It indicates the change that has resulted from either an action or an event in place.

Let us understand different situations where you can use the term effect;

1. To show a person’s feelings for someone special.

• The trust has donated all the personal effects of the dead.

2. To dent an imprint on someone special.

• Yoga lesson has an inspirational effect on all of us.

3. To express the scenes of a movie or play, such as a sound or a noise.

• All the special effects of the movie are just phenomenal.

4. To express that influencing someone can help achieve the desired results.

• The spies had to effect the escape plan ideally to get away.
• The speech against the criminals had a positive effect on people.

When used as a verb, the effect means to bring out something or somebody. It shows nouns like change or solution to something out in place.

Let us understand the concept with a few examples one by one;

1. Physical exerting has physical and mental effects.
2. The new government policy will come into effect on 1^st November 2020.

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Main Differences Between Affect and Effect

Although both words are being used interchangeably by people, there exists a lot of difference between Affect and Effect when it comes to parts of speech and grammar.

1. When used as a verb, affect means influencing or encouraging someone, whereas Effect means bringing something out of someone.
2. The term Effect is derived from the Latin language that depicts a change occurring due to some event or action. But the term Affect, also of Latin origin, means to encourage or influence someone.
3. The effect usually represents a consequence of something; conversely, the Effect represents a consequence.
4. Affect as a noun is used as a technical term many times. However, the term effect is used as a result of something.

References

1. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affect
2. https://www.lexico.com/definition/effect