Do you have trouble deciding when to use affect and when to use effect? This is a common and grammar error in English, because the two words sound so similar (if not identical).
It’s easy to learn the difference between affect and effect, however using it in your writing is a different story. This article should help you avoid usage mistakes with these two alike words.
Affect is commonly used as a verb. Unless your topic is psychology, you will rarely need to use affect as a noun.
Typically, when people want to say that one thing has had an impact on another, they will use the verb affect.
For example:
- 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 ofaffection is affect.)
Effect is almost always used as a noun. Typically, when people talk about causes, they also talk about effects. An effect is what is created by some cause. Here are some examples of effect being used as a noun that means “the result of a cause”:
- 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 many tragedies, and the victims are still feeling its effects.
- However, it can also be used as a verb, meaning to bring about, as in her actions effected a change in the situation.