Learning english grammar the easy way – affect and effect

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This blog post is part of a series of posts that aim to correct common English grammar mistakes.

“Affect” and “Effect” cause the same kind of confusion as “then” and “than” because they sound and look similar but mean different things. “Affect” is a verb, so you can “affect” something. “Effect” is a noun, so something can have a certain “effect” on something else.

For example -

“The heat today is affecting my concentration” = correct

“The heat today is effecting my concentration” = incorrect

“The weather has a strange effect on my mood” = correct

“The weather has a strange affect on my mood” = incorrect

Connor FitzPatrick is the newest addition to the English Language Centre Brighton and has worked within English language schools since graduating from university. One of his many jobs is ensuring all grammar and language is correct and accurate across ELC’s websites and all its social streams.

Next Grammar mistake – “Could’ve, Should’ve and Would’ve” →