be effected by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be effected by" is not correct in standard English; the correct phrase is "be affected by." You can use "be affected by" when discussing how something influences or has an impact on someone or something.
Example: "The community will be affected by the new policy changes."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That kind of change can only be effected by government action.

The Guardian - Opinion

That improvement could be effected by legislation alone, next year if desired.

The New York Times

The question is to what extent Welsh Labour support will be effected by the absence of its biggest name.

The Guardian

Alternatively, hardening can be effected by mixing sodium silicate into the sand to create chemical bonds that make baking unnecessary.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Blocked ornaments on book covers or imitation tooling on leatherwork can be effected by means of powerful embossing presses.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The faculty and students at Brooklyn College continue to be effected by the profound legacy of Dr. Wolfe's endeavors.

The New York Times

Separation of bismuth from its oxide or carbonate ores can be effected by leaching with concentrated hydrochloric acid.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The New Yorker, October 17 , 1925P. 1 It is suggested that economic reform be effected by agreement among non-Volsteadians to take their gin in unlabelled bottles.

The New Yorker

"I could point you in the direction of probably five people who will forever be effected by my music," he says.

The Guardian - Music

It is explicable that this tendency finds no interest in Geneva and in satisfied States... every space expansion can only be effected by breaking resistance and taking risks.

The Economist

Because the same construction can be effected by means of a hyperbola (see figure), however, the problem is not linear but solid.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "affected" instead of "effected" when you mean 'influenced'. "Effected" means 'brought about' or 'caused to happen', so the passive voice construction is grammatically incorrect in this context.

Common error

A common mistake is using "effect" when you mean "affect". Remember, "affect" is typically a verb meaning to influence, while "effect" is usually a noun meaning a result or consequence. When using passive voice, always double-check if "affected" is the appropriate word.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be effected by" is intended to function as a passive construction indicating that something is being influenced or caused by something else. However, this usage is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "be affected by". Ludwig AI flags this as an error.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "be effected by" is frequently encountered across various sources, including science and news media, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "be affected by". As Ludwig AI indicates, the misuse stems from a confusion between "affect" and "effect". To avoid errors, remember that "affect" (verb) means to influence, while "effect" (noun) typically refers to a result. Despite its frequent appearance, especially in scientific contexts, writers should always opt for "be affected by" to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be affected by

This is the correct form to use, replacing the misused "effected" with "affected" to indicate being influenced.

be influenced by

Replaces "effected" with "influenced", focusing on the impact or change caused by something.

be impacted by

Substitutes "effected" with "impacted", highlighting the significant influence or consequence of something.

be changed by

Emphasizes the alteration or modification resulting from something.

be altered by

Indicates a modification or change in something due to an external factor.

be determined by

Focuses on how something is decided or controlled by another factor.

be modified by

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

be shaped by

Highlights how something is molded or formed by external influences.

be swayed by

Highlights the influence that leads to a change in opinion or action.

be conditioned by

Focuses on how something is influenced by specific circumstances or factors.

FAQs

What is the correct phrase, "be effected by" or "be affected by"?

The correct phrase is "be affected by". "Effect" as a verb means to bring about or cause, whereas "affect" as a verb means to influence.

How can I avoid confusing "affect" and "effect"?

A helpful tip is to remember that "affect" usually acts as a verb, while "effect" often functions as a noun. If you mean to influence something, use "affect". If you mean the result, use "effect".

What does it mean to "be affected by" something?

To "be affected by" something means to be influenced or impacted by it. This can involve changes in feelings, behavior, or condition.

Are there synonyms for "be affected by"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "be influenced by", "be impacted by", or "be changed by" to convey a similar meaning.