Affect and effect are two of the most commonly confused words in English, but don’t worry—we’ll help you keep them straight. The basic difference is this: affect is usually a verb, and effect is usually a noun.
“Affect” vs. “Effect”: What’s the Difference? Affect is usually used as a verb meaning to influence or produce a change in something, whereas effect is generally used as a noun that refers to a change resulting from something.
Affect is most often a verb meaning “to influence or produce change,” while effect is primarily a noun referring to a result or consequence. Delve into other uses, like effect as a verb to bring about change and affect as a noun for an emotional state. The words affect and effect are two of the most commonly confused words in the English language.