Whether to use “affect” or “effect” is a challenge that continues to trip up even native speakers of English. Because it’s so frequently used, and improperly at that, we’ve included it in our homophone series, where we investigate words that sound similar but have very different meanings.
Does it really matter?
Most likely you won't find yourself in a similar situation, but it's good to be prepared (If you know the answer, then write it down in the comments).
“Affect” or “Effect” - Here’s The Rule
Affect is almost always used as a verb, it means to change or modify or influence something. It can often be used interchangeably with the word “change.”
Example: “Artists' power can affect the world.”
Effect is almost always a noun. It is an outcome, an ending, an impact, the result of something happening. It can almost always be used interchangeably with the words “outcome,” “impact,” and “result.”
Example: "The effect was like an earthquake."
Exceptions To The Rule
There is one situation in which “affect” is a noun rather than a verb. It is when it’s used to describe a facial expression that conveys a mood or emotion.
For example: “She always had a pleasant affect after a long walk in the woods.”
Ludwig’s Tip
The desire to “effect change” is a common expression used in English. It means the desire to make change happen.
For example: “She wanted her anti-war poetry to effect change in society.”
Seems strange right? “Affect change” seems more natural because we are trying to influence change. But, “affecting change” would mean to change how the change is happening – not to change something, but to modify the change itself. We use the “e” version of “effect,” because we are expressing change as the effect, as the desired outcome.
Example Sentences In Media
Effect:
"The Government ponders the effects of aging population."
"What effect does extreme cold have on the human body?"
“In order for artists to start shaping the world, they need to effect change closer to home.”
Affect:
“How will climate change affect the Sahara?.”
“How your neighbor's Airbnb rental can affect your property values.”
“Could the moon affect the taste of your wine?”
Ludwig's Wrap Up
Now that you know how to have the right effect, try to put them together in a single sentence, like in the example below:
"Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro affected her nature, courage becoming an unintended effect of taking risks."
