Affects vs. Effects

[Aanonchan]

AFFECTS VS EFFECTS

So many people have a hard time with this one, me included! So I'll write this article to help myself and maybe help some of you in the process.

Affects
"Affects", with an "a" is a verb*. So when you use "affect", you affect something.
For Example:

• He affected foreign policy negatively.
  
• She affects her boyfriend in an unhealthy way.
  
• They were affected greatly by his death
  

Just ask yourself if the subject is DOING something. The doing makes it a verb, which makes it "affect."


Effects
"Effects", with an "e" is a noun*. So when you use "effect", you're talking about something being acted upon, or the consequence of the "affect" verb.
Sounds a little confusing, but the examples will make it easier, I promise.
For Example

• The effect she had on him was poisonous
  
• The effect of the new treatment was shocking.
  
• The effect he had on her was affecting her social life. (Okay sorry, that was a ridiculous one, but it illustrates the difference pretty well I think.)
  

Ask yourself if it's a RESULT OF AN ACTION. If it is, then it's a noun, and it's "effect."

*Most of the time. There are special cases for each one that you will probably never use, so it's not worth going into them in detail. 99% of the time it's going to be like I told it. For a no-brainer website that also explains it pretty well (in case you don't understand my mumbo-jumbo here) try www.elearnenglishlanguage.com/difficulties/affecteffect.html

<3

Aanonchan
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