# Use of Affected and Effected **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 11, 2000, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-affected-and-effected/32794 "2000-09-11T18:05:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Spider\_Woman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cdc98d/32.png) [@Spider\_Woman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spider_Woman)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2000, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-affected-and-effected/32794/1 "2000-09-11T18:05:17Z")
I am taking an Office Technology class, and we are currently going through a unit on Business Writing. One of the proofreading exercises contains this sentence: > [@](#): > > The meeting started late because everybody was affected by traffic jam. I inserted the word “a” between the words “by” and “traffic.” When we went through the answers in class, the teacher’s manual said the word affected should be changed to effected. I believe this is incorrect. Examples of my understanding of correct usage of each word: We are **affected** by changes. We have **effected** changes in a policy. Does anyone know for certain the correct usage, and could you please provide explanation and examples? I told the class I would print out the results and bring them in tomorrow. Thank you very much, anyone who cares to contribute. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2000, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-affected-and-effected/32794/2 "2000-09-11T18:14:15Z")
**Spidey** Here is what [Merriam-Webster](http://www.m-w.com/) says: > [@](#): > > The confusion of the verbs affect and effect is not only quite common but has a long history. Effect was used in place of affect [3rd definition] as early as 1494 and in place of affect [2nd definition] as early as 1652. If you think you want to use the verb effect but are not certain, check the definitions in this dictionary. The noun affect is sometimes mistakenly used for effect. Except when your topic is psychology, you will seldom need the noun affect ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2000, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-affected-and-effected/32794/3 "2000-09-11T18:28:40Z")
I agree with the dictionary (of course). Use “effected” when when something was efficacious in causing a result. “Effect” is usually a noun, but could be a verb in that case. (“This website was effected by nerds,” if you mean they caused it to exist. “This website was affected by nerds,” if you mean they hacked into it and caused changed.) “Affect” is usually a verb and many people now use “impact” in lieu of “affect.” Whenever you can substitute “impact,” “affect” is proper. However, in psychiatric terms, affect is an emotional complex associated with a mental state. One who is depressed has a sad affect. An antidepressant, preferably a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, like Prozac, can affect depression and effect a cure. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2000, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-affected-and-effected/32794/4 "2000-09-11T18:31:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Spider Woman \* > > > [@](#): > > > > The meeting started late because everybody was affected by [a] traffic jam. Who’s that sentence supposed to impress? It’s bloody awkward no matter how you tried to spell it. I’d change it to: The meeting started late because everybody was _delayed_ by a traffic jam. ---
**Author:** ![ren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@ren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ren)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2000, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-affected-and-effected/32794/5 "2000-09-11T18:35:54Z")
From Dictionary.com: > [@](#): > > **af·fect** > \*v. tr. af·fect·ed, af·fect·ing, af·fects. \* > > To have an influence on or effect a change in: Inflation affects the buying power of the dollar. > > The climate _affected_ their health and spirits. --Macaulay. So, the usage in the OP was acceptable. Libertarian’s post seems to indicate that the original usage of _affected_ was: > [@](#): > > **af·fect** > _v. tr. af·fect·ed, af·fect·ing, af·fects._ > > To put on a false show of; simulate: > > _affected_ a British accent. There is a usage note which further states: > [@](#): > > Usage Note: **Affect** and **effect** have no senses in common. As a verb **affect** is most commonly used in the sense of “to influence” (how smoking _affects_ health). **Effect** means “to bring about or execute”: _layoffs designed to effect savings_. Thus the sentence _These measures may affect savings_ could imply that the measures may reduce savings that have already been realized, whereas _These measures may effect savings_ implies that the measures will cause new savings to come about. Clearly the test is obsolete and needs updating. ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2000, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-affected-and-effected/32794/6 "2000-09-11T18:36:36Z")
I should have added that “affected” is, of course, the right word, unless the intent was to mean that everybody came into existence due to the traffic jam, which really boggles the mind. I mean, maybe an old traffic jam and people were in a horny mood, perhaps everybody can be so effected. ---
**Author:** ![Spider\_Woman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cdc98d/32.png) [@Spider\_Woman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spider_Woman)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2000, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-affected-and-effected/32794/7 "2000-09-11T18:36:54Z")
We have a dictionary in the classroom. But we are a varied group and have differing levels of education. Do you think you could come up with something for just about anyone? Thanks again. -----🙂 —////\\ ---
**Author:** ![Spider\_Woman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cdc98d/32.png) [@Spider\_Woman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spider_Woman)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2000, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-affected-and-effected/32794/8 "2000-09-11T18:40:07Z")
Thanks, everyone else who replied while I was posting. -----🙂 —////\\ ---
**Author:** ![ren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@ren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ren)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2000, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-affected-and-effected/32794/9 "2000-09-11T18:40:29Z")
I paid so much attention to the formatting that I forgot to check if I got the link right!!! Here it is, corrected: [Dictionary.com: ‘affected’](http://www.dictionary.com/cgi-bin/dict.pl?term=affected) ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2000, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-affected-and-effected/32794/10 "2000-09-11T18:42:30Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by Spider Woman \* \*\*We have a dictionary in the classroom. But we are a varied group and have differing levels of education. Do you think you could come up with something for just about anyone? Thanks again. Virtually all the time “affect” will be used as a verb and “effect” as a noun. That’s pretty clear even to the mentally handicapped. If they don’t know the difference between a verb and noun, they must learn that before they worry about affect and effect. There are exceptions, as pointed out. “Effect” to bring about and “affect” to change. That’s clear, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![magdalene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@magdalene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magdalene)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2000, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-affected-and-effected/32794/11 "2000-09-11T18:49:39Z")
The mnemonic my English teacher gave me: “The world is affected by the changes you effect upon it.” Pull that sentence out when you are in doubt. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2000, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-affected-and-effected/32794/12 "2000-09-11T18:55:24Z")
To effect a change is to cause a change to be made, either directly or indirectly. To affect a change is to have some mark on it, but not to cause the change itself. I don’t believe affective is a word. Effective is a word meaning, basically that something works to some extent. An effect is the change something has on something else. For example, the effect rain has on the ground is that it (rain) causes it( ground) to be wet. ---
**Author:** ![Spider\_Woman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cdc98d/32.png) [@Spider\_Woman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spider_Woman)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2000, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-affected-and-effected/32794/13 "2000-09-11T19:18:03Z")
I think that device will work quite nicely for my purposes. Any more examples of correct usage for the class would be appreciated. (Just a gentle reminder about using phrases such as “mentally handicapped,” none of us in the class would fall under that classification. However, not all of us have had equal opportunities to complete higher levels of education, and there are differing ability and experience levels pertaining to word usage. This does not make anyone better or worse than anyone else, or handicapped.) iampunha, would you please use the words affected and effected in sentences that show correct and unambiguous meaning? I will be printing this thread tomorrow morning and taking it along to class. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2000, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-affected-and-effected/32794/14 "2000-09-11T19:20:52Z")
The bottom line, SpiderWoman, is that you are correct: the teacher was wrong. ---
**Author:** ![ren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@ren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ren)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2000, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-affected-and-effected/32794/15 "2000-09-11T19:24:36Z")
> [@](#): > > I don’t believe affective is a word. Ummmm… > [@](#): > > **af·fec·tive** > _adj._ > > _Psychology._ Influenced by or resulting from the emotions: affective disorders. > Concerned with or arousing feelings or emotions; emotional. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2000, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-affected-and-effected/32794/16 "2000-09-11T19:39:35Z")
Spider Woman, you are correct and the teacher is wrong. This is one of my pet peeves as they are (to me) totally different words with different meanings. I just cannot understand how they can be mistaken for each other. ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2000, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-affected-and-effected/32794/17 "2000-09-11T19:57:13Z")
Spider Woman, if the teacher doesn’t want to take the word of a bunch of people on a message board, any grammar/style book will clearly explain the difference between the two words and provide examples of correct usage. Out of curiousity, how did the teacher take to being told the manual was wrong? Did he or she agree with the manual? ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2000, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-affected-and-effected/32794/18 "2000-09-11T20:15:14Z")
**Spidey** This might help also. From [What is the difference between affect and effect?](http://www.dictionary.com/doctor/faq/a/affecteffect.html) > [@](#): > > As a verb, to affect means “to act upon or have an influence on”: “Sunless days affect my mood.” It can also mean “to make a show of; to put on a pretense of; to feign; to assume”; as, “to affect ignorance.” To effect means “to bring about or create”; as, “to effect a change.” If you affect something, you do to it. If you effect something, you cause it to be. Advertising might affect the sales of widgets (by causing them to increase), or it can effect sales (bring them about) if there are no sales at all to begin with. > > As a noun, effect means “result; consequence; outcome.” An effect is that which is produced when you affect something: “The poem affected me deeply; it really had an effect on me.” Affect as a noun is a term from the field of psychotherapy meaning “the emotional complex associated with an idea or mental state.” If you are not a psychiatrist or social scientist, you will likely have little use for it. > > To make it simple, or at least less complicated, keep in mind that usually if you want a noun, the word you want is effect, but if you want a verb, the word you want is affect. ---
**Author:** ![Spider\_Woman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cdc98d/32.png) [@Spider\_Woman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spider_Woman)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2000, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-affected-and-effected/32794/19 "2000-09-11T20:51:49Z")
for your efforts on behalf of my class, our teacher, and me. missbunny, you asked about my teacher’s reaction: she wasn’t sure, and was going to do some research. I suggested that I post the question to this message board and bring the answers to class tomorrow, and she seemed to think it would be a good idea. I do see how the two terms could be easily confused because if they are mispronounced, they sound like the same word, and the spelling is very similar (only one letter difference). I learned the difference as a psychology major taking research methods and design, and statistics classes. I can’t remember for sure if I knew about it before then or not. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Ed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Just\_Ed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Ed)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2000, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-affected-and-effected/32794/20 "2000-09-11T21:21:20Z")
From no less an authority than [Strunk & White](http://www.bartleby.com/cgi-bin/texis/webinator/sitesearch/?query=%28col141%29+affect&db=db&cmd=context&id=39b5ca786d4): > [@](#): > > Effect. As noun, means result; as verb, means to bring about, accomplish **(not to be confused with _affect_, which means “to influence”).** > > As noun, often loosely used in perfunctory writing about fashions, music, painting, and other arts: “an Oriental effect;” “effects in pale green;” “very delicate effects;” “broad effects;” “subtle effects;” “a charming effect was produced by.” The writer who has a definite meaning to express will not take refuge in such vagueness. (Bolding mine) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-affected-and-effected/32794.md?page=2)