Affect vs. Effect – Difference, Uses, and Examples

Daniel Bal
Written by
Daniel Bal
Edited by
Courtney Adamo
Fact-checked by
Paul Mazzola

Difference between affect and effect

The difference between the common uses of affect and effect lies in their part of speech. Affect is a verb, whereas effect is a noun. The verb affect means to have an influence on, impact, or change; as a noun, effect means the result of a change.

Remember how to use the correct word using the mnemonic RAVEN:

  • R – Remember

  • A – Affect

  • V – Verb

  • E – Effect

  • N – Noun

Affect and effect are homophones, making them hard to tell apart.

Affect vs. effect - How to use
Affect vs. effect - How to use
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When to use affect and effect

Affect is almost always used as a verb. Effect is almost always used as a noun to identify a result of an action. It usually follows the words an, any, into, on, or, take, and the; affect does not.

Affect vs. effect differences
Affect vs. effect differences

Affect as a verb:

  1. How does one's personality affect their relationships with others?

  2. The rain will affect the number of trick-or-treaters tonight.

Affect - use rules
Affect - use rules

Effect as a noun:

  1. What effect did the preseason have on the players?

  2. Did the new job have any effect on his schoolwork?

Effect - use rules
Effect - use rules

However, there are a couple of exceptions to the affect and effect rules.

Affect can be used as a noun when referring to an emotional response. The noun affect is usually pronounced with stress on the first syllable.

  • The young child's facial expressions had a happy affect.

  • She took the news with a flat affect.

Affect as a noun
Affect as a noun

Effect can be used as a verb when meaning "to cause or bring about:"

  • The new owner is likely to effect changes in positive worker morale.

  • The boss will put the new changes into effect on Monday.

Effect as a verb
Effect as a verb

Affect vs. effect examples

The following example sentences use affect or effect:

Affect example sentences:

  • Getting a good night's rest before the SATs can positively affect a student's performance.

  • The teacher knew the extra credit on the project would affect the students' effort.

  • How has the lower crime rate affected the population of the town?

  • Movies and books tend to affect people differently.

  • Staying inside can directly affect a person's mood.

Effect example sentences:

  • What will be the effect of closing the store early on the weekends?

  • The soft, gentle tone of the singer's voice had a calming effect.

  • Among the effects left in the abounded house was a box of antique coins.

  • What is the negative effect of missing the playoffs for the second year in a row?

  • The doctor stressed that the patient would have to wait to see if the treatment had a positive effect or if it caused any side effects.


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