Affect vs. Effect: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Affect" is usually a verb meaning to influence, while "effect" is a noun meaning the result or impact of an action.
Key Differences
"Affect" as a verb refers to making an impact on or influencing something. "Effect" as a noun represents the outcome or result of an action.
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Nov 16, 2023
In psychology, "affect" can denote an emotional response or feeling. "Effect" can refer to the consequence of a psychological phenomenon.
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"Affect" is used in describing the act of changing or altering. "Effect" is the change that has occurred due to a particular cause.
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"Affect" can also mean to pretend or to put on a false show. "Effect" in a different context, can mean to bring about something (as a verb).
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Nov 16, 2023
The usage of "affect" often indicates an ongoing process. The usage of "effect" usually points to the completion of a process.
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Comparison Chart
Meaning
To influence or make an impact on
The result or outcome of an action
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Usage in Psychology
Emotional response or feeling
Consequence of a psychological phenomenon
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Alternative Meaning
To pretend or put on a false show
To bring about something (as a verb)
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Indication in Process
Ongoing process or action
Completion of a process or its result
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Affect and Effect Definitions
Affect
To have an influence on or make a difference to.
The weather can greatly affect mood.
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Effect
A phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon.
The greenhouse effect contributes to global warming.
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Affect
To touch the feelings of; to move emotionally.
Her story deeply affected the audience.
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Effect
To bring about something (as a verb).
The president aimed to effect positive change in the policy.
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Affect
To have an influence on or effect a change in
Inflation affects the buying power of the dollar.
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Effect
The power to produce an outcome or achieve a result
The government's action had little effect on the trade imbalance.
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Affect
To attack or infect, as a disease
Rheumatic fever can affect the heart.
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Effect
Advantage; avail
Used her words to great effect in influencing the jury.
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Effect
The condition of being in full force or execution; operativeness
A new regulation that goes into effect tomorrow.
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Effect
Something that produces a specific impression or supports a general design or intention
The lighting effects emphasized the harsh atmosphere of the drama.
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Effect
A particular impression
Large windows that gave an effect of spaciousness.
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Affect
To tend to by nature; tend to assume
A substance that affects crystalline form.
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Effect
Production of a desired impression
Spent lavishly on dinner just for effect.
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Affect
To imitate; copy
"Spenser, in affecting the ancients, writ no language" (Ben Jonson).
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Effect
The basic or general meaning; import
He said he was greatly worried, or words to that effect.
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Affect
Feeling or emotion, especially as manifested by facial expression or body language
"The soldiers seen on television had been carefully chosen for blandness of affect" (Norman Mailer).
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Effect
To bring about; make happen; cause or accomplish
Effect a cure for a disease.
Effect a change in policy. See Usage Note at affect1.
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Affect
(transitive) To influence or alter.
The experience affected me deeply.
The heat of the sunlight affected the speed of the chemical reaction.
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Effect
The result or outcome of a cause.
The effect of the hurricane was a devastated landscape.
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Affect
(transitive) To move to emotion.
He was deeply affected by the tragic ending of the play.
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Affect
Of an illness or condition, to infect or harm (a part of the body).
Hepatitis affects the liver.
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Effect
(uncountable) The state of being binding and enforceable, as in a rule, policy, or law.
The new law will come into effect on the first day of next year.
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Effect
An illusion produced by technical means (as in "special effect")
The effect of flying was most convincing.
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Effect
(sound engineering) An alteration, or device for producing an alteration, in sound after it has been produced by an instrument.
I use an echo effect here to make the sound more mysterious.
I just bought a couple of great effects.
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Affect
To burden (property) with a fixed charge or payment, or other condition or restriction.
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Effect
A scientific phenomenon, usually named after its discoverer.
Doppler effect
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Affect
(transitive) To make a show of; to put on a pretense of; to feign; to assume. To make a false display of.
To affect ignorance
To affect a British accent
He managed to affect a smile despite feeling quite miserable.
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Effect
(obsolete) Reality; actual meaning; fact, as distinguished from mere appearance.
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Affect
(psychology) A subjective feeling experienced in response to a thought or other stimulus; mood, emotion, especially as demonstrated in external physical signs.
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Effect
(transitive) To make or bring about; to implement.
The best way to effect change is to work with existing stakeholders.
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Effect
Execution; performance; realization; operation; as, the law goes into effect in May.
That no compunctious visitings of natureShake my fell purpose, nor keep peace betweenThe effect and it.
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Affect
To act upon; to produce an effect or change upon.
As might affect the earth with cold heat.
The climate affected their health and spirits.
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Effect
Manifestation; expression; sign.
All the large effectsThat troop with majesty.
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Affect
To influence or move, as the feelings or passions; to touch.
A consideration of the rationale of our passions seems to me very necessary for all who would affect them upon solid and pure principles.
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Effect
In general: That which is produced by an agent or cause; the event which follows immediately from an antecedent, called the cause; result; consequence; outcome; fruit; as, the effect of luxury.
The effect is the unfailing index of the amount of the cause.
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Affect
To love; to regard with affection.
As for Queen Katharine, he rather respected than affected, rather honored than loved, her.
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Effect
Impression left on the mind; sensation produced.
Patchwork . . . introduced for oratorical effect.
The effect was heightened by the wild and lonely nature of the place.
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Affect
To show a fondness for; to like to use or practice; to choose; hence, to frequent habitually.
For he does neither affect company, nor is he fit for it, indeed.
Do not affect the society of your inferiors in rank, nor court that of the great.
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Effect
Power to produce results; efficiency; force; importance; account; as, to speak with effect.
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Affect
To dispose or incline.
Men whom they thought best affected to religion and their country's liberty.
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Effect
Consequence intended; purpose; meaning; general intent; - with to.
They spake to her to that effect.
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Affect
To tend to by affinity or disposition.
The drops of every fluid affect a round figure.
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Effect
Reality; actual meaning; fact, as distinguished from mere appearance.
No other in effect than what it seems.
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Affect
To make a show of; to put on a pretense of; to feign; to assume; as, to affect ignorance.
Careless she is with artful care,Affecting to seem unaffected.
Thou dost affect my manners.
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Effect
Goods; movables; personal estate; - sometimes used to embrace real as well as personal property; as, the people escaped from the town with their effects.
Resolving all events, with their effectsAnd manifold results, into the willAnd arbitration wise of the Supreme.
Shun the bitter consequence, for know,The day thou eatest thereof, . . . thou shalt die.
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Affect
To assign; to appoint.
One of the domestics was affected to his special service.
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Effect
To produce, as a cause or agent; to cause to be.
So great a body such exploits to effect.
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Effect
To bring to pass; to execute; to enforce; to achieve; to accomplish.
To effect that which the divine counsels had decreed.
They sailed away without effecting their purpose.
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Affect
The emotional complex associated with an idea or mental state. In hysteria, the affect is sometimes entirely dissociated, sometimes transferred to another than the original idea.
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Effect
A phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon;
The magnetic effect was greater when the rod was lengthwise
His decision had depressing consequences for business
He acted very wise after the event
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Effect
An outward appearance;
He made a good impression
I wanted to create an impression of success
She retained that bold effect in her reproductions of the original painting
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Effect
A symptom caused by an illness or a drug;
The effects of sleep loss
The effect of the anesthetic
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Affect
Connect closely and often incriminatingly;
This new ruling affects your business
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Effect
An impression (especially one that is artificial or contrived);
He just did it for effect
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Affect
Make believe with the intent to deceive;
He feigned that he was ill
He shammed a headache
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Affect
Have an emotional or cognitive impact upon;
This child impressed me as unusually mature
This behavior struck me as odd
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Affect
To produce an effect on the condition or nature of.
Pollution can adversely affect air quality.
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Affect
In psychology, to experience an emotion or feeling.
He was visibly affected by the news.
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Effect
A change that is a result or consequence of an action or other cause.
The new law had an immediate effect on traffic speed.
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Affect
To pretend or feign a certain state or condition.
She affected indifference, even though she was upset.
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Effect
The power to bring about results; efficacy.
The medicine's effect was felt within minutes.
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Effect
An impression produced on a spectator, listener, or reader.
The film's special effects were impressive.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is “effect” ever used as a verb?
Yes, “effect” can be a verb meaning to bring about or cause something to happen.
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Nov 16, 2023
How is “effect” used differently?
“Effect” is mainly a noun referring to a result or outcome of an action.
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Nov 16, 2023
What does “affect” mean?
“Affect” is usually a verb meaning to influence or make a difference to.
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Nov 16, 2023
How do you remember the difference?
“Affect” is an Action (both start with 'A'), and “effect” is an End result.
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What’s an example of an “effect”?
A new law can have a significant effect on society.
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Is “effect” related to cause-and-effect?
Yes, it's the outcome in a cause-and-effect relationship.
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What is a “side effect”?
A side effect is a secondary, usually undesirable effect of a drug or therapy.
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Does “affect” imply a change?
Yes, to affect something usually means to change it in some way.
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Can “affect” be a noun?
Yes, in psychology, “affect” as a noun refers to an observable expression of emotion.
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Is “affect” always emotional?
Not always; it can also refer to causing a change in any context.
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Can weather “affect” mood?
Yes, weather can influence (affect) a person's mood.
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Can “effect” indicate a direct result?
Yes, “effect” often indicates a direct or indirect result of an action.
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How does “affect” relate to psychology?
In psychology, it refers to the experience of feeling or emotion.
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Nov 16, 2023
Does “effect” relate to effectiveness?
Yes, in a way, as both pertain to the result or impact of something.
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Can “affect” mean to pretend?
Yes, but it's a less common usage, like "He affected ignorance."
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How do emotions “affect” behavior?
Emotions can greatly influence (affect) a person's behavior and decisions.
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Can a decision “affect” outcomes?
Yes, a decision can affect (influence) various outcomes.
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What is a “ripple effect”?
A ripple effect is a series of consequences caused by a single action or event.
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Can “affect” be positive or negative?
Yes, “affect” can be either positive or negative in its influence.
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What's a “domino effect”?
It's a chain reaction where one event sets off a series of similar events.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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