How to Choose Between Affect and Effect

One of the most often asked grammar questions is when to use affect and when to use effect.

Affect is used as a verb, and effect is most often used as a noun. Since only nouns can be modified by the articles a, an and the, I can show you a simple trick to help you choose the correct word.

If you are not sure how to choose between affect or effect, see if one of the articles a, an, or the will work in front of it. If so, effect is probably the correct choice. If you try to place an article in front of a verb, it will not be correct.

Examples:

·      Your behavior had a negative effect on me.

·      Polio affected his legs.

It may help you to know: 

• Effect usually means the result, consequence, or outcome.
• Affect usually means to influence, to impact, or to sway.

Now you try it:

1.     She wore a tiara on her head and the (affect, effect) was ridiculous.

2.     Watching a feel-good movie did not (affect, effect) his bad mood.

3.     Your behavior is having an (affect, effect) on everyone in the class.

Answers:

1.     effect  The article the appears before the noun effect.

2.     affect  The articles a, an, and the would not make sense before the verb affect.

3.     effect  The article an appears before the noun effect.

It is possible, although not as common, for the word effect also to be used as a verb. It is most often used in formal situations. If so, it will mean to bring forth or give rise to. If you are not sure if the word in question is a verb, try substituting one of these synonyms: created, caused, produced, bring on, or generate.

Example: The new law effected a change in the way criminals are prosecuted.

Note that you could substitute a synonym such as created, caused, produced, brought on, or generated.

Most of the time, your choice will be between the noun effect and the verb affected.

With practice, it should become easier for you to choose the correct word.

Click here for a practice lesson that includes a self-grading Boom Card Deck to practice using affect and effect. You can try it out here.

Thanks for reading,

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