Affect vs Effect

Affect vs Effect

Although frequently confused affect and effect are quite different in meaning.

What is the difference between, affect and effect?

Affect and effect are both verbs and nouns, but only effect is common as a noun, usually meaning a result, a consequence or impression.

Affect

It has several meanings: to influence,  exert influence on, make a difference to, act on, have an impact on, change, alter, modify, transform, decide, guide, feeling or emotion, damage, hurt, disturb, 

Antonyms:

be unaffected, be indifferent to, continue, order, remain.

Examples with Affect:

• he brutalities he witnessed have affected him most deeply.
• The climate is likely to be affected by the greenhouse effect gas emissions.
• Scientists are investigating the ways climate changes can affect the ozone.
• What you do affects all of us.
• The decisions which affect our lives.
• Her son’s lack of affect justifies why you find it difficult to gauge his moods.
• He had been deeply emotionally affected by his parents’ divorce.
• The areas affected by the hurricane.

Effect

It has several meanings: result, consequence, response, repercussion, reaction, outcome, reaction, end result, conclusion, gives the impression/sense.

Antonyms:

source, cause, question.

Examples with Effect: 

• A much lower dose of the painkiller can still produce the desired effect.
• My parents’ divorce had a big effect on me.
• I don’t think it will have any effect on the outcome.
• Mirrors will give the effect of a larger space.
• Her paintings give a beautiful effect of light.
• While mountain hiking, I could feel the effects of the thin air.

Affect vs Effect

The difference between to affect and to effect can be seen here:

To affect the results: To influence, to make a difference to, have an impact on the results.

To effect the results: To bring about, consequence, response, lead to the results.

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