COMMONLY CONFUSED: Affect vs. Effect
Are you sure you know the difference?
Saturdays are perfect days to clarify communication confusion. Surprise, we’re talking about affect and effect today!
The English language throws all kinds of challenges at speakers and writers, few of which are as tricky as the homophones affect and effect. These words appear so frequently that mastering them is essential for effective communication, not to mention success on standardized tests.
Start with the most common use cases:
affect (verb) - to act on or produce an effect or change in
BREAKDOWN: AF- (to) + FECT- (to make or do)
effect (noun) - a result or consequence; the power to produce results
BREAKDOWN: E- (out) + FECT- (to make or do)
In most cases–especially standardized exams–affect is a verb (A is for action) and effect is a noun. To affect (verb) means to produce an effect (noun).
However, the opposite may hold true in specific instances or contexts. For example, in psychology, affect is used as a noun:
affect (noun) - an observable expression of emotions or the underlying experience of feeling or mood
When speakers or writers want to sound sophisticated, they may be tempted to use effect as a verb, even though effectuate is a more appropriate word:
effectuate (verb) - to make happen or bring about (also effect)
So learn how to use affect and effect in both standard usage and corner cases. Then learn the other words based on the same specific roots:
affected (adj) - simulated or assumed artificially; influenced; impaired
—an affectation is an assumed or artificial manner of behavior, speech, or style usually intended to impress others
affection (noun) - a false or feigned display or mannerism
disaffected (adj) - unhappy with or resentful of circumstances or authority figures
effective (adj) - successful in producing a desired outcome or result; extant or existing as of a specific time or circumstance (also effectual)
effectiveness describes the degree of success in producing a desired or intended result (also effectivity)
“The consequences of an act affect the probability of its occurring again.” —B. F. Skinner