difference between affect and effect

[crisscross]

Can someone explain the distinction between affect and effect and the context in which they can be used.

Thanx

 

[Crimzon]

Main Entry: 1af·fect
Pronunciation: 'a-"fekt
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin affectus, from afficere
Date: 14th century
1 obsolete : FEELING, AFFECTION
2 : the conscious subjective aspect of an emotion considered apart from bodily changes
usage see EFFECT

Main Entry: 1ef·fect
Pronunciation: i-'fekt, e-, E-
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, from Latin effectus, from efficere to bring about, from ex- + facere to make, do -- more at DO
Date: 14th century
1 a : PURPORT, INTENT b : basic meaning : ESSENCE
2 : something that inevitably follows an antecedent (as a cause or agent)
3 : an outward sign : APPEARANCE
4 : ACCOMPLISHMENT, FULFILLMENT
5 : power to bring about a result : INFLUENCE <the content itself of television ... is therefore less important than its effect -- Current Biography>
6 plural : movable property : GOODS <personal effects>
7 a : a distinctive impression <the color gives the effect of being warm> b : the creation of a desired impression <her tears were purely for effect> c (1) : something designed to produce a distinctive or desired impression -- usually used in plural (2) plural : SPECIAL EFFECTS
8 : the quality or state of being operative : OPERATION <the law goes into effect next week>
- in effect : in substance : VIRTUALLY <the ... committee agreed to what was in effect a reduction in the hourly wage -- Current Biography>
- to the effect : with the meaning <issued a statement to the effect that he would resign>


Dictionary


[Edit]: On a really basic level, affect is for things pertaining to emotions, things like that, and effect would be for 'special effects' and things like that.

 

[AU Tiger]

You forgot two other definitions for affect with the last being what I was thinking. Affect is a verb, effect is a noun.

Drinking affects a person's judgement.
Bad judgement is an effect of drinking.

Main Entry: 2af·fect
Pronunciation: &-'fekt, a-
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French affecter, from Latin affectare, frequentative of afficere to influence, from ad- + facere to do -- more at DO
Date: 15th century
transitive senses
1 archaic : to aim at
2 a archaic : to have affection for b : to be given to : FANCY <affect flashy clothes>
3 : to make a display of liking or using : CULTIVATE <affect a worldly manner>
4 : to put on a pretense of : FEIGN <affect indifference, though deeply hurt>
5 : to tend toward <drops of water affect roundness>
6 : FREQUENT
intransitive senses, obsolete : INCLINE 2
synonym see ASSUME
usage see EFFECT

Main Entry: 3affect
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from affectus, past participle of afficere
Date: 15th century
: to produce an effect upon: as a : to produce a material influence upon or alteration in <paralysis affected his limbs> b : to act upon (as a person or a person's mind or feelings) so as to effect a response : INFLUENCE
usage see EFFECT
- af·fect·abil·i·ty /-"fek-t&-'bi-l&-tE/ noun
- af·fect·able /-'fek-t&-b&l/ adjective
synonyms AFFECT, INFLUENCE, TOUCH, IMPRESS, STRIKE, SWAY mean to produce or have an effect upon. AFFECT implies the action of a stimulus that can produce a response or reaction <the sight affected her to tears>. INFLUENCE implies a force that brings about a change (as in nature or behavior) <our beliefs are influenced by our upbringing> <a drug that influences growth rates>. TOUCH may carry a vivid suggestion of close contact and may connote stirring, arousing, or harming <plants touched by frost> <his emotions were touched by her distress>. IMPRESS stresses the depth and persistence of the effect <only one of the plans impressed him>. STRIKE, similar to but weaker than impress, may convey the notion of sudden sharp perception or appreciation <struck by the solemnity of the occasion>. SWAY implies the acting of influences that are not resisted or are irresistible, with resulting change in character or course of action <politicians who are swayed by popular opinion>.

 

[Bulk Beef]

Generally, affect is verb, effect is noun.

Comparing verb to verb, affect means to influence, effect means to bring about.

 

[Crimzon]

Ha, well there ya go.

 

[crisscross]

thanx ppl

 

[Novgrod]

Effect can also be a verb, meaning "to bring about."

The US might effect a regime change in iraq.

The effects of the regime change might be widespread.

You might be affected by the regime change because you might have to pay higher gas prices or you might have to pay lower gas prices.

 

[katka]

Affect = to bring about change in (influence)

Effect = result

 

"Effect can also be a verb, meaning 'to bring about.'"

Not true! That is what the people who don't know the meaning of the word and difference between "affect" and "effect" are trying to sell, but it is incorrect.

Here are two examples of their usages:

The institute of psychology is studying the effect of divorce on kids' performances at school.

The natural disaster of 1988 affected my family in different ways. In what way did the event affect your family?

Unfortunately even so-called journalists can't tell the difference. Newspapers are busy using "effect" as a verb (e.g. "effect change").

 

[BatmanNate]

Originally posted by: Novgrod
Effect can also be a verb, meaning "to bring about."

The US might effect a regime change in iraq.

The effects of the regime change might be widespread.

You might be affected by the regime change because you might have to pay higher gas prices or you might have to pay lower gas prices.

It would be contradictory if used in that sense. Affect means to bring about, in effect the are opposites.