I will be going over two/to/too, accept/except, there/their/they’re… and others.I am doing this because I wish to help aspiring authors/novelists and help those who don’t use English as a first language (and those who just wish to know more).

Affect vs. Effect

Knowing when to use affect or effect in a sentence can be a challenge. These words are examples of homonyms. Homonyms are words that are similar, but have very different meanings. Other examples of homonyms are two/to/too, accept/except, and there/their/they're.

Meaning of Affect and Effect

To understand the correct situation in which to use the word affect or effect, the first thing one must do is have a clear understanding of what each word means.

[*]Affect is a verb. It means to produce a change in or influence something.

[*]Effect is a noun that can also be used as a verb. It means a change that occurred. When an "s" is added, "effects" mean to cause (something) to happen; bring about. Effects can also refer to a persons property (not house, mostly things that can fit in pockets)

Affect

1. Affect can be used as a noun to describe facial expression.

Example: The young man with schizophrenia had a flat affect.

Example: The woman took the news of her husband's sudden death with little affect.

2. Affect can also be used as a verb. Use it when trying to describe influencing someone or something rather than causing it.

Example: How does the crime rate affect hiring levels by local police forces?

Example: The weather conditions will affect the number of people who come to the county fair this year.

Effect

1. If you are talking about a result, then use the word "effect" as a noun.

Example: What effect did the loss have on the team?

2. It is appropriate to use the word "effect" if one of these words is used immediately before the word: into, on, take, the, any, an, or and.

[*]Example: The prescribed medication had an effect on the patient's symptoms.

[*]Example: In analysing a situation, it is important to take the concepts of cause and effect into consideration.

3. If you want to describe something that was caused or brought about, the right word to use is effect; but, as shown in this example, it would be a verb.

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[*]Example: The new manager effected some positive changes in the office. (This means that the new manager caused some positive changes to take place in the office.)

Examples of Affect:

* The boss’s negativity affected all the workers.

* Not winning didn’t affect her as much as I thought it would.

* Your opinions do not affect my decision to move.

* Smoking tobacco can adversely affect your lungs and blood flow.

* Television can negatively affect young, developing minds.

* Hugs can affect a person’s immune system in a positive way.

* The crime rate in that area will affect the housing market.

* Reducing our carbon footprint will affect the environment.

* Petting a cat or a dog affects blood pressure in a positive manner.

* Raising the minimum wage affects many people living in poverty.

* Movies have the power to affect people’s thinking.

* Going to war affects everyone in the country.

* That teacher affected my self-image and helped me believe in myself.

* The eulogy affected all the visitors in a profound way.

[*]

Examples of Effect

* Transportation costs have a direct effect on the cost of retail goods.

* The effect of the medicine on her illness was surprisingly fast.

* The new law prohibiting texting while driving will go into effect tomorrow.

* Graffiti added a strong negative effect to the aesthetics of a neighbourhood.

* How fast you drive will have an effect on your fuel mileage.

* In her will, she left all her personal effects to her daughter.

* A dark colour of paint will have the effect of making the room seem smaller.

* The special effects in movies today are aided by computers.

* Does seeing a film about car crashes have an effect on teenagers?

* A good night’s sleep has a positive effect of your whole day.

* Creepy music in a movie gives the effect that something is about to happen.

* Two effects of her promotion were a raise in salary and a new office.

* How will you tell if the medication has taken effect?

* Complex carbohydrates will have an effect on your athletic performance.

[*]

Let me know if you guys find this helpful.