Key Difference: Most people get confused while using confusing words in English, like affect and effect. These words sound very similar, but the meanings are different from each other. Let’s see the explanation to remember the difference between them. The word affect means making a difference or change in something. In contrast, effect refers to the outcome of a specific action.
Affect: When you see the sunset, it will positively affect your mind and soul.
Effect: Listening to music emits a calming effect on people.
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Affect:
Influence or Change Something
The term Affect is a verb (irregular verb). It refers to influencing something or changing someone. In other words, Affect means producing a change in something. Let’s see the sample statement to understand it clearly. Radiation emits from the gadgets affects people. In this sentence, we might understand that radiation can cause harmful effects on people. For instance, the motivational speech from the professor deeply affected him. It means that the motivational speech changes him to walk in the right way.
How Do We Spell the Word Affect?
Phonetics pronunciation of the word Affect is əˈfɛkt. And this word sounds like the following audio.
Enunciation:
Syllables are phonological building blocks of words. It divides the words into parts that can help you read words more accurately. Let’s see how to split the word affect using syllables. Learning syllables can also help you to spell words correctly.
- The word “Affect” has two syllables.
- It can be divided as “Af-fect.”
Tense Form of the Word Affect:
The following table will show you three fundamental tense forms and their example sentences for your reference.
| Present | Past | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|
| affect / affects | affected | affected |
| Poor grammar affects your credibility. New mobile affects the sales of other products. | They are affected by tsunamis. Lilly is affected by the game. | Luna’s family members were deeply affected by the bomb blast. She affects him with cruel words. |
Using “affect” in sentences:
- The new factory will affect nature.
- Road construction affects traffic in our area.
- It would be best not to let your emotions affect your decision.
- Every stress affects your performance.
- Some people are affected by the new rule in the organization.
Effect:
Outcome or Consequence of a particular action
The word Effect is a noun. It refers to the outcome or consequence of a particular action. To be more precise, effect means representing the result of an action. For instance, It takes a few hours for the medicine to take effect on your body. In this sentence, we understand that every medicine will take some time to take effect. Let’s see another example to make it clear. As people were complaining about the organization, they wanted an immediate effect on the issue.
How Do We Spell the Word Effect?
Phonetics pronunciation of the word Effect is ɪˈfɛkt/. And this word sounds like the following audio.
Enunciation:
Syllabification refers to the process of division of words into smaller parts. It is commonly known as syllables. With its help, you can easily read and spell the word accurately. Here, you will see how to split the word “Effect” by syllables.
- The word “Effect” has two syllables.
- It can be divided as “Ef-fect.”
Tense Form of the Word Effect:
The below-given table will show you three fundamental tense forms with some example sentences for your understanding.
| Present | Past | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|
| effect | effected | effected |
| The experience has a good effect on him. The changes had an immediate effect. | Our manager has effected several changes in the company. All steps required for service shall be effected as quickly as possible. | This change can be effected in the laboratory. A group of people effected the reform. |
Using “Effect” in sentences:
- Smoking causes harmful effects on your health.
- You will see the effect of the program.
- Junk food causes side effects on people.
- Bedtime stories have a positive effect on children.
- The effect of the horror film makes me feel down.
Compare: Affect Vs Effect
This table will show you the contradiction between the words Affect and Effect.
| Affect | Effect | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | It refers to influencing something or changing someone. | It refers to the outcome or consequence of a particular action. |
| Synonym | Influence, Condition, Work on, Change, Modify, Transform, Control, Determine, Guide, Stimulate, Take on | Result, Outcome, Consequence, Reaction, Issue, Development, Conclusion, End Product, Fallout, Aftermath |
| Antonyms | Hold, Keep, Order, Calm, Discourage, Dissuade, Remain | Cause, Origin, Source, Commencement, Start, Foundation, Beginning |
| Parts of Speech | Verb | Noun |
| Etymology | late Middle English: from French affecter or Latin affect- influenced | Middle English: from Old French effect, from Latin effects (an effect, tendency, purpose) |
| Examples | This medicine will affect your eyes. Due to heavy rain, people are affected. The climax of the movie affected me deeply. Too much travelling affects Riya’s health. The crops are affected by the flood. | It is the right time to put our plan into effect. Every pain killer pill had an immediate effect on the body. The new act will go into effect on the day after tomorrow. Watching 3D movies gives more visual effects than normal films. The lighting effect in a hall is amazing. |
Resources and References:
Resources: Cambridge Dictionary (Affect, Effect), Merriam-Webster (Affect, Effect), Collins Dictionary (Affect, Effect), Dictionary.com (Affect, Effect)
Reference: Dictionary.Cambridge.org[1], Merriam-Webster.com[2][5], CollinsDictionary.com[3], Dictionary.com[4].