Affect vs Effect: What's the Difference?
Blog / GRAMMAR
Most of the time, affect is a verb meaning "to influence", and effect is a noun meaning "a result". Remember RAVEN: Remember, Affect is a Verb, Effect is a Noun.
Affect = verb
"The weather affected our plans." You can test it by swapping in "influenced".
Psychology also uses "affect" as a noun meaning displayed emotion ("flat affect"), but that is specialised.
Effect = noun
"The new rule had a big effect." Test: swap in "result". Effect often follows "a", "an" or "the".
Common phrases: "side effect", "in effect", "take effect".
The exception: effect as a verb
"To effect change" means to bring about change. "The new manager effected several improvements."
Compare: "affect change" would mean to influence something that is already changing.
Quick quiz
"Caffeine ___ my sleep" → affects. "Caffeine has an ___ on my sleep" → effect.
If you can put "the" in front of it, you usually need effect.
Frequently asked questions
Is it "affected" or "effected"?
Usually "affected" (influenced); "effected" means brought about.
Can effect be a verb?
Yes, meaning to bring about, as in "effect change".
What is RAVEN?
Remember: Affect is a Verb, Effect is a Noun.