Affect vs. Effect

Be honest … the last time you wrote affect, did you second guess yourself and turn to Merriam-Webster because you couldn’t remember the difference between affect and effect?

Well, my pretties, if you want to sound smarter, you have to stop making common grammar mistakes, and that includes misusing affect and effect. Remember, grammar snobs are listening …

Don’t worry! Your fairy godmother of grammar is here to teach one simple hack so you’ll never have to look up affect or effect in the dictionary ever again!

So what is this nugget of grammar gold, you ask?

 

1) For those of you fluent in word nerd parlance, here’s the hack:

Affect begins with “a.” Know what else begins with “a”?

Action.

And verbs describe actions.

So when your sentence calls for a verb, use affect.

Effect begins with “e.” Know what else begins with “e”?

Everything.

And things, just as people and places, are nouns. Remember that catchy definition of a noun that we learned in elementary school? A noun is a person, place, or thing.

If your sentence requires a noun, use effect.

 

Still confused? It’s okay. I got you. You can memorize a few examples or learn each word’s definition.

2) Examples to live by:

Affect

– How will X affect Y?

How will the budget cuts affect the company’s bottom line?

– X affects Y

Moving frequently affects a child’s ability to establish lasting friendships.

 

EFFECT

– What effect will X have?

What effect will an increase in the minimum wage have on the economy?

– The effect(s) of X …

The effects of bullying can be seen even in adulthood.

* One more tip to help you remember that effect is a noun: Movie buffs know that filmmakers often use special effects. (Note that effects are clearly a noun here.)

 

3) Prefer definitions for greater understanding?

To keep the two words straight, our good friends at Merriam-Webster use the following framework:

Affect implies influence.

Effect refers to an actual accomplishment.

 

In my estimation, those tips cover about 95% of instances when you might have to decide between affect and effect, however, that leaves room for a few exceptions:

4) Affected as an adjective and effect as a Verb.

AFFECT

Affected as an adjective:

That affected accent perfectly matched his bow tie, top hat, and pipe.

EFFECT

1. Effect used as a verb means to make happen, as in to effect change.

If you really want to effect change in the world, run for political office.

2. In effect means

a. In summary

In effect, the regulatory changes will have little impact on day-to-day operations.

b. To be in operation:

The new safety standards will be in effect by the end of the year.

3. Take effect means to become effective; to be in place

New rates at the post office will take effect on Jan. 1.

 

That’s about all I’ve got for you on affect vs. effect. If you found my explanations useful, please share with friends—it’s no fun talking with a bunch of dummies!