affected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "affected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that has been influenced or changed by an external factor. Example: "The community was deeply affected by the recent natural disaster, leading to a strong response from local organizations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Those affected are thought to have low levels of serotonin and melatonin, which means they require much more daylight.

The Guardian

Nearly 1.9m Australians are affected by the minimum wage and the award minimum wage.

The Guardian

Exercise also helps you sleep better, and helps regulate your appetite, two functions that are very much affected by high levels of stress.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Greek economic crisis has inevitably affected the country's commercial art market.

The Guardian

It said: "The ANC in parliament appreciates and shares the anxiety of the families and others affected by the tragic events at Marikana regarding the public release of the report.

The Guardian

Passengers affected by rail delays are now able to receive cash compensation instead of vouchers, in a major change to policy by operators.

The Guardian

Ben Marks of OpinionPanel said: "It's interesting that the new arrangements won't even affect the current crop of students; it's those starting from 2012 who'll really be affected.

The Guardian

Co-counsel for Brown, Ann Kirby, said: "This case is a tragedy which has profoundly affected not only the lives of the people involved, but which profoundly affects our system of justice in North Carolina.

The Guardian

Urgent medical care will still be provided, but all routine operations and other procedures are likely to be affected.

The Guardian

Jan Tilley, a final-year English student at the University of Leeds, struggled with excessive hair and acne due to the condition, and found that the visible signs disrupted her day-to-day life: "I felt insecure when I first found out, and it affected my confidence.

The Guardian

The outlook was less positive in the other countries affected by the outbreak, Guinea and Sierra Leone, which jointly reported 132 new confirmed cases last week.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add clarity, specify the degree to which something is "affected". For example, instead of saying "The results were affected," consider "The results were significantly affected."

Common error

Avoid confusing "affect" (a verb meaning to influence) with "effect" (a noun meaning a result). "Affected" is the past participle or adjective form of "affect". An error example is: "The weather effected our plans" should be "The weather affected our plans."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "affected" is as an adjective, describing something that has been influenced or changed. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use to modify nouns, indicating a state or condition resulting from an external force, for example: "Passengers affected by rail delays are now able to receive cash compensation instead of vouchers, in a major change to policy by operators." according to Ludwig AI the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "affected", primarily used as an adjective, effectively describes something that has been influenced or changed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, especially in news and media contexts. While "affected" and "influenced by" are often interchangeable, "affected" often carries a sense of stronger or more noticeable change. To use "affected" effectively, ensure clarity about the influencing factor and avoid confusing it with "effect". By understanding its nuances and potential pitfalls, writers can confidently incorporate "affected" into their vocabulary, enhancing their ability to convey impact and change with precision. Based on this analysis, "affected" is a reliable and versatile word to include in your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

influenced by

Replaces "affected" with a more direct term indicating influence.

impacted by

Substitutes "affected" with a synonym emphasizing the impact or effect.

changed by

Focuses on the resulting change caused by an external factor.

touched by

Implies an emotional or superficial impact.

altered by

Highlights the alteration or modification resulting from something.

modified by

Similar to "altered by", but emphasizes a more specific or controlled change.

influenced

A shortened version focusing on the act of influencing.

demonstrated

Indicates the effect is showcased.

acted upon

Emphasizes the passive reception of an action.

undergone changes

Highlights the process of change rather than the cause.

FAQs

How can I use "affected" in a sentence?

You can use "affected" to describe something that has been influenced or changed by something else. For example, "The community was deeply affected by the natural disaster."

What is a good alternative to the word "affected"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "influenced by", "impacted by", or "changed by".

Which is correct, "affected by" or "effected by"?

"Affected by" is correct when you mean influenced by something. "Effected by" means brought about or caused to happen, which is a different meaning altogether.

What's the difference between saying something is "affected" versus "influenced"?

While similar, "affected" often implies a more significant or noticeable change compared to "influenced by". "Affected" can also carry a negative connotation, while "influenced" is more neutral.