Short answer: Affect is usually a verb meaning “to influence.” Effect is usually a noun meaning “a result.”
Memory trick (RAVEN): Remember, Affect is a Verb, Effect is a Noun.
Affect vs. effect in examples
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| affect | verb | to influence or change | The weather affected our plans. |
| effect | noun | a result or change | The weather had a big effect on our plans. |
Check the word’s job in the sentence. If something is being done, you need the verb: Stress can affect your sleep. If you can put a, an, the or this in front of it, you need the noun: The effect was immediate.
Common phrases with effect
- side effect: The medicine has few side effects.
- special effects: The movie’s special effects were impressive.
- take effect: The new law takes effect on January 1.
- in effect: The rule is still in effect.
- cause and effect: Scientists study cause and effect.
The exceptions
- Effect as a verb means “to bring about”: The new manager hopes to effect real change. This is formal and fairly rare.
- Affect as a noun is a psychology term for visible emotion: The patient showed a flat affect. You will almost never need this outside clinical writing.
Common mistakes
- Stress can effect your health. Use the verb: Stress can affect your health.
- The affect of sleep loss on memory. Use the noun: The effect of sleep loss on memory.
Take the affect vs. effect quiz
1.The loud music ___ my concentration.
You need a verb meaning "influenced": affected.
2.The medicine had a strong ___ on her.
After the article "a" and the adjective "strong", you need a noun: effect.
3.The new policy will ___ millions of workers.
"Will" is followed by a verb meaning "influence": affect.
4.What is the ___ of sleep loss on memory?
"The ___ of" calls for a noun: effect.
5.The new rule takes ___ on Monday.
The fixed phrase is "take effect" (begin to apply).
6.The CEO hopes to ___ real change in the company.
As a verb, effect means "to bring about": effect change.
7.Which sentence is correct?
After "can" you need the verb meaning "influence": affect.
8.The movie's special ___ were amazing.
"Special effects" is a fixed noun phrase.
9.In psychology, a patient's visible emotional expression is called ___.
In psychology, affect is a noun meaning observable emotion.
10.The side ___ of the drug include nausea.
"Side effects" is the fixed noun phrase.
Frequently asked questions
Is affect a noun or a verb?
Affect is usually a verb meaning to influence. As a noun it is a psychology term for visible emotion.
Is effect a noun or a verb?
Effect is usually a noun meaning a result. As a verb it means to bring about, as in effect change.
How do I remember affect vs. effect?
Use RAVEN: Remember, Affect is a Verb, Effect is a Noun.
