affect that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "affect that" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the influence or impact of one thing on another. Example: "The new policy will affect that decision significantly." Alternative expressions include "influence that" and "impact that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Can I affect that?

The Guardian - Film

Will El Duque affect that?

The New York Times - Sports

Lots of variables can affect that figure.

The Guardian - Film

This decision won't affect that," he added.

The Guardian

If you get your hands up, you can affect that".

The New York Times - Sports

Yesterday's court action is not expected to affect that suit.

The New York Times

And there are innumerable variables that can affect that".

The New York Times

The Justice Department's action will not affect that F.D.A. decision.

The New York Times - Health

"The stage, if it's adequate, doesn't really affect that".

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Harris said Thursday's news might affect that plan.

The New York Times - Tech

Failure to invest in the future will affect that future for everyone.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "affect that" when you want to describe how something influences or changes a particular situation, decision, or outcome. Ensure the context clearly identifies what "that" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "effect" instead of "affect". "Affect" is typically a verb meaning to influence, while "effect" is typically a noun meaning a result. For example, "The weather will affect that" (correct) versus "The weather will effect that" (incorrect).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "affect that" functions as a verb phrase where "affect" is the verb indicating influence and "that" serves as a pronoun referring to a previously mentioned noun or situation. Ludwig AI confirms that it's often used to describe how something can change or have an impact on a specific item or circumstance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "affect that" is a versatile phrase used to express influence or impact on a specific object or situation. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific domains. While similar phrases like "influence that" or "impact that" exist, it's crucial to differentiate "affect" from "effect" to avoid common errors. Remember to clearly define what "that" refers to in your writing for clarity and precision. With these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately incorporate "affect that" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

influence that

Replaces "affect" with its direct synonym "influence".

impact that

Substitutes "affect" with "impact", another synonym denoting influence or effect.

change that

Focuses on the alteration aspect of "affect", emphasizing a shift or modification.

alter that

Similar to "change that", highlighting the act of modifying or adjusting something.

influence that outcome

More specific, indicating an impact on a particular result or conclusion.

have an effect on that

Uses a more verbose construction to express the influence, adding emphasis.

play a role in that

Suggests a contributing part in influencing something, rather than a direct effect.

bear upon that

A more formal and less common way to say "affect", suggesting relevance or connection.

have a bearing on that

Similar to "bear upon that", indicating relevance or influence.

determine that

Emphasizes a stronger causal relationship, suggesting that something directly decides the outcome.

FAQs

How to use "affect that" in a sentence?

You can use "affect that" when discussing the influence or impact of one thing on another. For example: "The new policy will "affect that" decision significantly."

What can I say instead of "affect that"?

You can use alternatives like "influence that", "impact that", or "change that" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "effect that" instead of "affect that"?

No, it is generally incorrect. "Affect" is typically used as a verb meaning to influence, while "effect" is often a noun meaning a result. Therefore, ""affect that"" is the correct usage in most contexts where you mean to influence something.

What's the difference between "affect that" and "influence that"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, ""affect that"" can sometimes imply a more direct or immediate impact, whereas "influence that" might suggest a more subtle or gradual effect. However, they are often interchangeable.