Difference Between Affect and Effect (Affect vs Effect) or affect effect difference

Many people get confused with the words affect and effect because they sound so much similar and they have several related meaning.  

 

 

Affect vs Effect

 

 

What is the main difference between affect and effect?

The main difference between affect and effect is we use the verb affect when we mean to influence rather than to cause whereas we use effect when we mean bring about or brought about, cause or caused.

 

Two words that sound very similar and which are frequently mixed up. To add to the confusion, the noun which relates to the main meaning of affect is effect.

Affect Effect Difference Table

Difference Between Affect and Effect

 

Exception

Affect can be used as a noun when you are talking about psychology, it means the mood that someone appears to have. For example, a doctor may say, "The patient displayed a happy affect."

Effect can be used as a verb that essentially means "to bring about" or "to accomplish". For example, you could say , "Aardvark hoped to effect change in the burrow."

Example of Affect vs Effect

Basis for Comparison	Affect	Effect
Meaning	Affect is a verb almost always used to mean "to act on (someone or something) and cause a change.". Affect means to influence or make an impact on someone or something.	Effect is almost always used as a noun to mean "a change that results when something is done or happens."
Derivation	Affect is derived from a Latin term 'afficere'.	Effect is derived from a Latin term 'efficere'.
Speech pattern	Affect is pronounced as əˈfɛkt.	Effect is pronounced as ɪˈfɛkt
As a verb	Affect as a verb means 'to result in change in someway'.	Effect as a verb means 'to bring about' or 'to realize'.
As a noun	Affect as a noun, can be used to show emotions.	Effect as a noun, means result or impact.
Examples	How do the budget cuts affect your staffing. She showed little affect when told she had won the lottery. The decrease in the price of petrol will affect the spending power of the people. The arrows affected Aardvark.	He effected a commotion in the crowd. What effect did that speech have? Meditation has positive physical and mental effects. The new policy may come into effect from 1’st April
Rules	Use the verb affect when you mean to influence rather than to cause. Affect is used as noun to mean emotional expression.	Use effect when you mean bring about or brought about, cause or caused. Use effect when you mean result. Also use effect whenever any of these words precede it: a, an, the, any, take, into, no. These words may be separated from effect by an adjective.
Syllabification	In syllabus Affect is af·fect	In syllabus effect is ef·fect.
What does it reflects?	Affect reflects “As a result of”.	Effect reflects “Result”.
Mostly Used	As a verb.	As a noun