Effect vs. Affect

When your writing is finalized without a thorough proofreading, it can affect the quality of your document in a harmful way. A negative impression is not the effect that you want to have on your audience.

The misuse of the words “effect” and “affect” usually occurs when one believes that the two words can be used interchangeably—that they have the same meaning. Here’s a straightforward way to understand how to use each word properly.

The noun “effect” is “the result of something else.” The “effect” will occur after something else happens.

The outcome of an event is a result; it may also be thought of as an “effect.”

The verb “affect” “causes a change, or manipulates something else.”

It is an action, often associated with changing or causing emotions.

Effect

According to IMDb.com, 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), created a “new high-bench mark for special effects” in films. The illusion of spaceships transported the viewer into a more advanced world. That’s the effect. Special effects.

Associate “special effects” with “effects” and you’ll remember that “effect” should be used as the noun to describe an outcome.

The phrase “cause and effect” is also helpful if you’re confused about whether to use the word “effect” or “affect.” A cause produces an effect.

Tip: Event Result = Effect

Affect

Let’s keep with the movie theme. Say you’re leaving a movie theater with a friend after sobbing your heart out during a tearjerker. (Those dramas are so manipulative!)

Concerned, your friend turns to you and says, “What’s wrong with you?”

Since fiction does not usually have that effect on you, you exclaim, “I don’t know! It just really affected me!”

The movie caused a change in your emotions. Causing a change is an action.

Tip: Action = Affect

Although the words “effect” and “affect” are commonly confused, the difference between the noun and the verb is quite simple.

About the Author: Stefanie Flaxman corrects business, marketing, and educational documents in 24 hours to eliminate reputation-crushing mistakes from your writing. She's a professional proofreader and the founder of Revision Fairy® Small Business Proofreading Services. Connect with Stefanie on Twitter.