profound affect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "profound affect" is not correct in this context.
The correct term is "profound effect." You can use "profound effect" when describing a significant or deep impact that something has on a person, situation, or outcome. Example: "The documentary had a profound effect on the audience, prompting many to reconsider their views on climate change."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

It's a huge planning document which will have a profound affect on Cardiff's long term future.

The Guardian

Your vast memories and accomplishments have had a profound affect on all of our lives.

The New York Times

Geographical context can have a profound affect on your appreciation of a TV show.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Even less is understood about the complex dance of dog and handler, although that dynamic can have a profound affect on success rates, Dr. Myers said.

The New York Times - Science

In my second year of teaching I attended a summer programme for teachers and it had a profound affect on me.

The Guardian

"There is no doubt in my mind that the terrible and tragic death of Robbie has had a deeply profound affect on his parents.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

A skillfully designed game might use this participatory perspective for artistic purpose — offering profound, affecting statements about the human condition.

The New Yorker

The disruptive impact of new technologies is profound – affecting how we work, learn, travel and, crucially, how we communicate and relate to the world.

The Guardian - Opinion

As marketers, the decisions cognitive computers make for us may not be life or death, but they will have profound affects on how our consumer audience discovers products and makes purchasing decisions.

TechCrunch

Theory suggests that mate-choice copying can have profound affects on the evolution of sexually-selected traits [11] [13].

Plosone

Our results clearly demonstrate that a localized inflammatory insult during gestation has profound affects on DA function, which may be relevant for schizophrenia, where increased striatal DA is proposed to underlie the so-called positive symptoms of the disorder [81] [84].

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "effect" when referring to the result or consequence of something. "Affect" is primarily a verb, meaning to influence something.

Common error

Avoid using "affect" as a noun. Remember that "affect" is typically a verb, while "effect" is typically a noun. Using "affect" when you mean "effect" is a common grammatical error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "profound affect" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "profound effect", where "effect" functions as a noun indicating a result or consequence. While Ludwig provides examples of the incorrect usage, it underscores the importance of using the correct terminology.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "profound affect" appears frequently across various sources, as demonstrated by Ludwig, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "profound effect", where "effect" is used as a noun. The confusion arises from the misuse of "affect" as a noun when it is primarily a verb. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a common error. To avoid this, remember that "affect" means to influence, while "effect" refers to the result. Stick to "profound effect" or consider using alternatives like "significant impact" or "deep influence" for clarity and correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant impact

Replaces "profound affect" with a more standard phrase indicating a notable influence.

deep influence

Suggests a strong and pervasive effect, similar to "profound affect".

substantial effect

Emphasizes the magnitude and importance of the effect.

marked impression

Highlights the lasting impression created.

powerful impact

Focuses on the strength and force of the effect.

considerable influence

Indicates a significant degree of influence.

notable consequence

Highlights the noteworthy outcome or result.

momentous outcome

Emphasizes the historical or lasting importance of the result.

far-reaching effect

Stresses the broad and extensive impact.

transformative impact

Suggests a change that alters the fundamental nature of something.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "affect" and "effect" in a sentence?

"Affect" is primarily used as a verb meaning to influence, while "effect" is primarily used as a noun meaning a result or consequence. For example, "The weather affected my mood" (verb) versus "The weather had a significant effect on my mood" (noun).

Is it ever correct to use "affect" as a noun?

Yes, "affect" can be used as a noun in psychology to describe someone's emotional state or expression, but this usage is rare in general writing. It's more common to use "effect" as a noun to denote a result or consequence.

What can I say instead of "profound affect"?

The correct phrase is "profound effect". You can also use alternatives such as "significant impact", "deep influence", or "substantial effect".

What's the difference between "profound affect" and "profound effect"?

"Profound affect" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "profound effect", which means a significant or far-reaching consequence. Always use "effect" as a noun in this context.