meta[lenguaje]

In the English language, there are some word pairs that look and sound alike but mean different things. One of these pairs is «affect» and «effect.»

People often mix them up, but grasping the distinction can truly enhance both your writing and speaking clarity.

Affect: This word is a verb, and it’s about the action of making a change or having an influence on something.

Example: The happy news will positively affect her mood.

Effect: On the flip side, «effect» is a noun. It’s about the result or outcome of an action.

Example: The effect of the good news was immediate happiness.

So, in simple terms, «affect» is doing something, and «effect» is what happens because of it. The next time you find yourself at the intersection of these words, ask yourself: Is it doing something (affect), or is it the result of something done (effect)? Easy, right?