Affect vs. Effect [What is the Difference?]

If you’ve confused affect and effect before, you’re not alone. This word pair is one of the most common errors in business writing. Through this article, you will understand when which word is appropriate, learn a simple trick to remember the difference and be able to navigate their proper use and exceptions.

The Difference

Simply put: affect is a verb and effect is a noun. They are defined as:

affect (verb): to produce an effect or results 

effect (noun): something that is produced by a cause; a consequence

Why do we confuse affect and effect?

These words are confused for very legitimate reasons. First, these words are related in their meaning. Both words refer to an impact or consequence.

Affect is the verb enabling the outcome, while effect is the noun referring to the result.

Knowing each word’s grammatical role is critical to differentiate the two.  

Second, the two words sound very similar.

Affect is articulated with an a-sound called ‘schwa’ (the ‘a’ pronounced in the same way as ‘allow’), while effect has a long e sound (the ‘e’ pronounced in the same way as ‘e-mail’).

These words are near-homonyms, but each has a distinct sound.

When to use affect and when to use effect?

When describing a result, use affect when the term is in the action word and effect when the term is the subject or object.

A common mnemonic to recall the difference is to think of a raven. Specifically:

R: Remember
A: affect (is a)
V: verb
E: effect (is a)
N: noun

The following examples highlight how to use them correctly in a similar context:

• If I take a day off, I know it affects my team’s work flow.
• If I take a day off, I know it has an effect on my team’s work flow.
  
  
• Our new education program affected our productivity in the way the VP expected.  
• Our new education program had the effect the VP expected.
  
  
• The sales department’s poor performance will negatively affect our quarterly report.
• The sales department’s poor will have a negative effect on our quarterly report.
  
  

Exceptions

English is full of exceptions. Affect and effect have their own deviations from the ‘RAVEN’ rule. These uses are less common, but awareness of their existence is important.

Effect can be used as a verb when to effect means to ‘make happen.’

Example: The citizens want to effect change after hearing about the corruption charges.

Affect can be used as a noun for a psychological term referencing an emotional response.

Example: The patient is able to express a range of affects.

Affect can be used as a verb to mean ‘to put on’ or ‘to feign.’

Example: She affected a British accent when traveling abroad.

For even more examples, check out this helpful explainer video:

Affect and effect are useful vocabulary words when used correctly. Remember the RAVEN mnemonic and use them confidently in your business writing.