What Is the Difference Between Effect and Affect?

By jamie

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There are so many rules of grammar and spelling to be followed that it can become difficult to remember what is right and what is wrong. Sometimes, even using the wrong letter just once can change the whole meanings of sentences, or at least cause you to commit a grammatical faux pas.

Among the most common grammatical errors is erroneously using “affect” instead of “effect,” and vice versa. Basically, the rule is that “effect” is the result of something happening, while “affect” is the influence that caused a change. Here’s a few examples of how they should be used to help you get it right.

1. Putting on Weight

The more that we eat, the more calories we will take on board and, unless we counteract it with exercise, the more weight we will put on. Because eating more causes us to put on more weight, taking on excess calories affects our weight on the basis that eating too much is the cause of the gain in weight.

The word effect can also be used to explain this phenomenon, albeit in a differently structured sentence. For example: what we eat has an effect on our weight on the basis that gaining weight is the result of eating too much.

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