Affect or Effect - Which do I Use?
The difference between affect and effect is so slippery that people have started using "impact" as a verb instead. However, if you want to stick with affect or effect, the following might help.
Affect
Most of the time, you'll want affect as a verb. - Meaning to influence something or make a difference.
Affect as a verb, usually means produce an effect or influence on.
- The exercise program was beginning to affect my endurance.
- Your attitude will affect how successful you are.
- The Green Arrow affected crime in Central City.
- The rain affected Carissa's hairdo.
- Josh wished the wind hadn't affected his game so much.
- Mel's grumpiness affected everyone else's mood.
- Rain affects the humidity.
- Moisture affects humidity.
- The more the rain the greater the affect on the amount of erosion.
Affect can also mean, roughly, to act in a way that can't be felt, as in.
- She affected an air of superiority.
Affect as a noun is mostly used as related to psychology, emotion, desire, and infuence on behavior and actions.
Effect
Use effect for a result, consequence, and impression. (noun). Sometimes people replace effect with impression to avoid having to decide which noun (affect or effect) to use.
Effect has a lot of subtle meanings as a noun.
However, the meaning of a result - seems to be at the heart of most definitions.
Effect as a noun.
- The effect was eye-popping.
- The sound effects were amazing.
- The rain had no effect on Amy's hairdo.
- The teacher marveled at the effect encouragement had on the positive mood of the class.
- Stuart wondered if the heat was having an effect on the fish.
- The effect of the rain was catastrophic.
- Light rain has little effect on erosion.
Effect as a verb means - being about. Defense effected the outcome of the game.
Raven as a mnemonic to remember: affect as a verb and effect as a noun.
Because raven has the letters A-V-E-N, to stand forĀ ... Affect: Verb Effect: Noun