Affected vs. Effected — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 18, 2023
"Affected" typically means influenced by something, while "Effected" means brought about or caused something. Both pertain to change but in different manners.
Difference Between Affected and Effected
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Affected" and "Effected" are two words with unique meanings, often muddled in usage. "Affected" generally implies being influenced or changed by an external factor. On the contrary, "Effected" means to bring about or cause a change.
When describing reactions or responses, "Affected" is your go-to word. For instance, one might describe how a person was "Affected" by a piece of news. On the other hand, "Effected" leans more towards the realm of causing or implementing change, such as how a leader "Effected" reforms.
In understanding the nuance between these words, the difference lies in passive versus active change. "Affected" is more passive, suggesting something or someone underwent change. In contrast, "Effected" is active, indicating a direct action that caused a specific change.
Grammatically, "Affected" is most often utilized as an adjective or verb, implying the state of being influenced or the act of being changed. "Effected," on the other hand, is primarily used as a verb, suggesting the act of bringing about change.
The subtleties between "Affected" and "Effected" underscore the rich tapestry of the English language. While both concern change, one relates to experiencing change and the other to initiating it.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
Being influenced or altered
Bringing about or causing something
Typical Usage
Adjective or verb
Verb
Grammatical Role
Describes the state or action of being influenced
Indicates the action of implementing change
Example
"She was deeply affected."
"He effected significant reforms."
Nature of Change
Passive
Active
Compare with Definitions
Affected
Influenced or touched by an external factor.
The child was deeply Affected by the movie.
Effected
Caused or brought about.
The president Effected important policies.
Affected
Influenced or touched by an external factor
Affected areas
Effected
Put something into effect.
The law was Effected last year.
Affected
Artificial, pretentious, and designed to impress
The gesture appeared both affected and stagy
Effected
Executed or carried out an action.
The team Effected the plan smoothly.
Affected
Disposed or inclined in a specified way
You might become differently affected towards him
Effected
Achieved a specific outcome.
He Effected a change in company direction.
Affected
To have an influence on or effect a change in
Inflation affects the buying power of the dollar.
Effected
Completed or finalized.
The transaction was successfully Effected.
Affected
To act on the emotions of; touch or move.
Effected
Something brought about by a cause or agent; a result.
Affected
To attack or infect, as a disease
Rheumatic fever can affect the heart.
Effected
The power to produce an outcome or achieve a result
The government's action had little effect on the trade imbalance.
Affected
To put on a false show of; simulate
Affected a British accent.
Effected
Advantage; avail
Used her words to great effect in influencing the jury.
Affected
To have or show a liking for
Affects dramatic clothes.
Effected
The condition of being in full force or execution; operativeness
A new regulation that goes into effect tomorrow.
Affected
(Archaic) To fancy; love.
Effected
Something that produces a specific impression or supports a general design or intention
The lighting effects emphasized the harsh atmosphere of the drama.
Affected
To tend to by nature; tend to assume
A substance that affects crystalline form.
Effected
A particular impression
Large windows that gave an effect of spaciousness.
Affected
To imitate; copy
"Spenser, in affecting the ancients, writ no language" (Ben Jonson).
Effected
Production of a desired impression
Spent lavishly on dinner just for effect.
Affected
Feeling or emotion, especially as manifested by facial expression or body language
"The soldiers seen on television had been carefully chosen for blandness of affect" (Norman Mailer).
Effected
The basic or general meaning; import
He said he was greatly worried, or words to that effect.
Affected
(Obsolete) A disposition, feeling, or tendency.
Effected
Effects Movable belongings; goods.
Affected
Acted upon, influenced, or changed.
Effected
To bring about; make happen; cause or accomplish
Effect a cure for a disease.
Effect a change in policy. See Usage Note at affect1.
Affected
Emotionally stirred or moved.
Effected
Simple past tense and past participle of effect
Affected
Infected or attacked, as by disease.
Effected
(music) Modified by effects.
Affected
Assumed or simulated to impress others
An affected accent.
Effected
Settled securely and unconditionally;
That smoking causes health problems is an accomplished fact
Affected
Speaking or behaving in an artificial way to make an impression.
Affected
Disposed or inclined.
Affected
Influenced or changed by something.
The affected products had to be recalled.
Affected
Simulated in order to impress.
He spoke with an affected English accent.
Affected
Emotionally moved; touched.
Affected
Adfected.
An affected equation
Affected
Resulting from a mostly negative physical effect or transformation.
Affected
Artificial, stilted
Affected
Someone affected, as by a disease.
Affected
Simple past tense and past participle of affect
The thunderstorm affected the compass, and we got lost.
Affected
Regarded with affection; beloved.
His affected Hercules.
Affected
Inclined; disposed; attached.
How stand you affected to his wish?
Affected
Given to false show; assuming or pretending to possess what is not natural or real.
He is . . . too spruce, too affected, too odd.
Affected
Assumed artificially; not natural.
Affected coldness and indifference.
Affected
Made up of terms involving different powers of the unknown quantity; adfected; as, an affected equation.
Affected
Acted upon; influenced
Affected
Speaking or behaving in an artificial way to make an impression
Affected
Emotionally affected;
Very touched by the stranger's kindness
Affected
Changed in a particular way.
The region was Affected by drought.
Affected
Exhibiting an artificial behavior or manner.
Her tone was Affected and insincere.
Affected
Impacted by a disease or ailment.
The patient's leg was Affected.
Affected
Moved emotionally.
She was Affected to tears by the story.
Common Curiosities
Can "Affected" describe an insincere behavior?
Yes, as in "She had an affected accent."
Are "Affected" and "Effected" interchangeable?
No, "Affected" means influenced while "Effected" means caused or brought about.
Is "Effected" commonly used as a noun?
No, it's primarily used as a verb.
Does "Effected" suggest an active change?
Yes, it means to actively bring about or cause a change.
Is "Affected" always passive?
Mostly, it denotes being influenced or changed by something else.
Can a person "Effect" a rescue?
Yes, it means they caused or carried out the rescue.
Is "Affected" more common than "Effected"?
"Affected" is more commonly used in everyday language.
Does "Effected" only relate to positive changes?
No, it can relate to any change, positive or negative.
How do I know which word to use?
If discussing influence or change experienced, use "Affected." If discussing causing change, use "Effected."
Can an event "Affect" an outcome?
Yes, events can influence outcomes.
Can a disease "Effect" someone?
No, a disease can "Affect" someone.
Can a leader "Affect" changes?
A leader would typically "Effect" changes, meaning they cause them.
What’s a synonym for "Effected"?
"Implemented" or "brought about."
Can "Affected" mean emotionally moved?
Yes, as in "He was deeply affected by the news."
Can a policy be "Effected"?
Yes, meaning the policy was implemented or put into place.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
