Affect and Effect

What are the two main reasons that affect and effect are so often confused?

Both words can be used as either a noun or a verb, and unlike most homophones, their usage and meanings are closely related to each other.

What is affect as a noun?

Feeling, emotion, or mood that is displayed.

What is the example for affect as a noun?

The patient had a flat affect. (i.e., his face showed little or no emotion)

What is affect as a verb?

To alter, to change, to influence.

What is the example for affect as a verb?

The sunshine affects the plant’s growth.

What is effect as a noun?

A result, a consequence.

What is the example for effect as a noun?

What effect will this weather have on our schedule?

What is effect as a verb?

To bring about, to cause to be.

What is the example for effect as a verb?

These new rules will effect order in the office.

What does the book say about the noun form of affect?

The noun form of affect is rarely used outside of technical medical descriptions.

What does the book say to choose if a noun form is needed on the test?

You can safely select effect.

What does the book say about the verb form of effect?

The verb form of effect is not as rare as the noun form of affect, but it’s still not all that likely to show up on your test.

What does the book say if you need a verb and cannot decide which to use?

Choosing affect is your best bet.