Commonly confused
B1
· Daily English
affect vs. effect
“Affect” is almost always the verb; “effect” is almost always the noun.
What it means
Use affect as a verb — it means “to change or influence something”. Use effect as a noun — it means “the result of a change”.
So one thing affects another, and that produces an effect. If you can put “the” or “an” in front of the word, you almost certainly want effect.
💡 A = Action (affect = verb). E = End result (effect = noun).
Examples
- The weather affects my mood.
- The weather has a strong effect on my mood.
- How will the new rule affect small businesses?
- The new rule had no effect at all.
Quick check
1. Choose the correct word: “The medicine did not ___ him at all.”
2. Choose the correct word: “Rising prices are one ___ of the shortage.”
Use it with a tutor
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