Diction: Affect and Effect From the UWF Writing Lab’s 101 Grammar Mini-Lessons Series Mini-Lesson #51

Affect In ordinary usage, the word affect is used as a verb meaning “to influence,” “to alter,” “to change,” or “to pretend to have or feel.” ▫Drinking alcohol can affect your body’s response time.

Effect The word effect is used as a noun meaning “result” or “consequence.” The word effect is also used in formal English as a verb meaning “to bring about” or “to make happen.” ▫The effects of the hurricane were visible the next morning when the sun rose.

Examples: The noise affects my concentration. I refused to let her grouchiness affect me.

More examples: His speech had a positive effect on the audience, His threats had no effect on the people upstairs. The organization has effected a remarkable change in its protégés. The President has effected a new tax program.