Affect and effect: Confusion between these two words affects even educated native speakers, and the effect is often embarrassment. Both can be used to mean "influence," and there's a simple way to remember the difference.
If you want a verb, you usually want the word affect. Remember, A = verb.
- The new rules will affect everyone in the company.
- Pollution in the city quickly affected my health.
If you want a noun, you usually want effect. Remember, E = noun.
- The new rules have many effects.
- The effects of pollution on our health can be serious.
Effect is sometimes used as a verb, meaning "to bring about."
- effect compromise.
- effect change.
Affect is also a noun, a rare word used in psychology, meaning "a feeling attached to an idea or object."
Affective and effective: For the adjective form, you usually want effective, meaning "to produce desired results." Affective means "arising from emotion."
- We’re seeking effective ways to fight pollution.
It is hoped that the effects of this simple lesson will affect your spelling for the better.
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