affects to

USAGE SUMMARY

"affects to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when someone pretends to feel or do something, especially to hide their true thoughts or feelings. For example: "The senator affected to be surprised when the news was revealed, but many suspected it was not genuine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Of course, corporate culture, too, affects to be open.

The New Yorker

But he betrays everything he affects to hold dear?

The Guardian - Film

He even tragically affects to wear a hipster hat indoors like his new best friend.

The Guardian - Film

Though he affects to be unaware of it, that verdict was duly delivered; and he lost.

The Guardian

Al Murray's Pub Landlord is often criticised for pandering to the attitudes he affects to lampoon.

The Guardian

The paper Murdoch most affects to despise, the Guardian, was the instrument of his undoing.

The Guardian

I'm not convinced Briggs is anything like the miserabilist he affects to be.

The Guardian - Books

So the Mail loftily affects to despise contemporary art – while itself turning art into a freakshow exhibit of worthless gimmickry.

The Guardian - Arts

"There are deleterious and invidious affects to this," said Mr. Traugott, who also teaches at the University of Michigan.

The New York Times

Jerry affects to be busy, but truth to tell, he's devoid of ideas and looking for diversions.

The Guardian - Books

"Aquaculture has the potential to apply the best practices with really no adverse affects to the environment," he told me.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "affects to" when you want to convey that someone is putting on a false appearance or feigning a particular emotion, belief, or behavior. It adds a layer of skepticism to the description.

Common error

Avoid using "affects to" when you simply mean 'influences' or 'impacts'. The phrase carries a specific connotation of pretense, which may not be appropriate in all contexts. If you want to indicate simple influence, use "influences" or "impacts" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "affects to" functions as a verb phrase indicating pretense or feigning. It modifies a subject by suggesting they are not genuine in their actions or expressions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this is a correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "affects to" is used to indicate that someone is feigning or pretending to have a certain feeling, quality, or belief. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It commonly appears in "News & Media" and scientific contexts, conveying skepticism about someone's sincerity. When using this phrase, ensure the context involves pretense rather than simple influence. If you want to express genuine influence, use alternative phrases like "influences" or "impacts". Remember that this phrase adds a layer of doubt to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pretends to

Emphasizes the act of feigning or simulating something.

feigns to

Similar to 'pretends to', but often implies a greater degree of artifice.

simulates to

Highlights the creation of an artificial likeness or imitation.

purports to

Suggests a claim or assertion that may or may not be true.

professes to

Implies a public declaration or avowal of something.

claims to

Indicates an assertion or declaration, often without proof.

influences

Highlights the action of affecting or impacting something.

impacts

Similar to influences, but implies a more direct or forceful effect.

bears upon

Emphasizes the relevance or connection to a particular issue.

has a bearing on

Similar to 'bears upon', but expresses the effect more explicitly.

FAQs

How is "affects to" used in a sentence?

"Affects to" indicates pretense or feigning. For instance, "He affects to be busy, but he's actually looking for diversions" shows he's pretending to be occupied. It suggests insincerity or a fabricated appearance.

What are some alternatives to "affects to"?

Alternatives include "pretends to", "feigns to", or "simulates to". These options similarly convey the act of putting on a false appearance or simulating a behavior or emotion.

Is it correct to say "affect to" instead of "affects to"?

No, the correct form is "affects to" when referring to a singular subject in the third person (he, she, it). "Affect" is used as the base form of the verb, while "affects" is used when the subject is singular and in the third person.

What's the difference between "affects to" and simply "influences"?

"Affects to" specifically implies pretense or feigning, suggesting the person isn't genuine. In contrast, "influences" simply means having an effect without necessarily involving any deception. Choose "affects to" when you want to highlight insincerity.