Perhaps the most commonly confused homophones are affect and effect. Even when people may use the correct word in a sentence, they often cannot explain why they have used one over the other, and admit that the word they choose in the end is by chance.
Affect
The word affect can be used as a noun or verb; however, it is most commonly used as a verb.
Pronunciation: uh-fekt
Definition: As a noun, affect refers to a display in behaviour, feeling, or emotion. Though, the use of affect as a noun is uncommon and rare.
Definition: As a verb, affect means to make an influence or change to something or an outward expression of feeling and emotion. It can also mean to put on a false appearance of something.
If you can use another verb instead of affect in a sentence, then you are using the right word.
For example, “The lack of rain will affect the growth of the crops.” “The lack of rain will hinder the growth of the crops.” In this case, the word affect is the correct word to use as it can be replaced with the word ‘hinder’ and the sentence would still make sense.
Examples of Using Affect In A Sentence
As a noun
- Her affect remained unchanged after hearing the bad news.
- The man’s facial expressions had a miserable affect.
- I took the wonderful news with great affect.
As a verb
- The weather will affect his mood.
- The lack of rain will affect the growth of the crops.
- How can studying affect your grades?
- I affected an Australian accent.
Synonyms: influence, impact, impress, concern, involve, assume, haunt.
Antonyms: bore, tire, avoid, evade, shake.
Effect
The word effect can also be used as a noun or verb, similar to affect. However, it is often used as a noun.
Pronunciation: uh-fekt
Definition: As a noun, effect is the change that occurs when something happens or a feeling that is created by something.
Definition: As a verb, although not used commonly, refers to something being accomplished or to cause something to happen.
Examples of Using Effect In A Sentence
As a noun
- The effect the good weather had on me was amazing.
- I added sunglasses to my outfit for effect.
- The law comes into effect next year.
As a verb
- The rail strike effected change within the rail industry.
- The new manager promised to effect positive changes in the football club.
- A lot of rain will effect a great harvest of crops.
Synonyms: result, outcome, consequence, resultant, aftermath, sequence, impact, influence, belongings, goods, possession, create, generate, prompt, cause,
Antonyms: cause, reason, factor, consideration, helplessness, weakness, impotence, limit, restrict, impede, control, dampen, suppress.
The Different Tenses for Affect and Effect
Simple Present Tense:
He/She/It affects (effects).
I affect (effect).
You/We/They affect (effect).
Present Continuous Tense:
He/She/It is affecting (effecting).
I am affecting (effecting).
You/We/They are affecting (effecting).
Present Perfect Tense:
He/She/It has affected (effected).
I have affected (effected).
You/We/They have affected (effected).
Present Perfect Continuous Tense:
He/She/It has been affecting (effecting).
I have been affecting (effecting).
You/We/They have been affecting (effecting).
Simple Past Tense:
He/She/It affected (effected).
I affected (effected).
You/We/They affected (effected).
Past Continuous Tense:
He/She/It was affecting (effecting).
I was affecting (effecting).
You/We/They are affecting (effecting).
Past Perfect Tense:
He/She/It had affected (effected).
I had affected (effected).
You/We/They had affected (effected).
Past Perfect Continuous Tense:
He/She/It had been affecting (effecting).
I had been affecting (effecting).
You/We/They had been affecting (effecting).
Simple Future Tense:
He/She/It will/shall affect (effect).
I will/shall affect (effect).
You/We/They will/shall affect (effect).
Future Continuous Tense:
He/She/It will/shall be affecting (effect).
I will/shall be affecting (effect).
You/We/They will/shall be affecting (effect).
Future Perfect Tense:
He/She/It will/shall have affected (effected).
I will/shall have affected (effected).
You/We/They will/shall have affected (effected).
Future Perfect Continuous Tense:
He/She/It will/shall have been affecting (effecting).
I will/shall have been affecting (effecting).
You/We/They will/shall have been affecting (effecting).
Infinitive:
To affect (effect).
Perfect participle:
Having affected (effected).
How To Remember Which One To Use
Here are a few tips and tricks that you can use to remember which word to use.
- ‘A’ comes before ‘E’ in the alphabet.
- If you think of ‘A’ standing for ‘action’ and ‘E’ standing for the ‘end result’, remember that the action will come before the end result. This links with tip 1.
- If something affects someone, the person will feel the effect. The affect causes the
- To help you choose the right word in almost every scenario, use the ‘RAVEN’ mnemonic. This is as follows:
Remember
Affect (is the)
Verb
Effect (is the)
Noun
Conclusion
Both affect and effect can be used as nouns and verbs. However, affect is usually used as a verb and effect as a noun. The affect will cause the effect.
Use each of the tips and tricks to remember which one to use.
Alkyone can spot the incorrect use of homophones instantly and provide further advice and examples on which is the correct word to be used. Our editors at Alkyone all have over 5 years of experience with the English language and hold postgraduate qualifications or equivalent from leading UK universities. If you are interested in any of our proofreading, copyediting, or formatting services, then please contact us for a FREE quote and we will be more than happy to assist you to produce the highest quality of work.
