More Confusing Words

Writing tips from a copy editor

Affect or Effect?

You affect an effect.

That’s how I taught myself to remember it.

Or,

The action/actor affects an effect.

·         Affect: have an effect on, make a difference to

·         Effect: a change which is a result or consequence of an action or another cause; an impression produced in a person’s mind.

So affect is the action, effect is the outcome. The chain of events is neatly alphabetised.

Is it an action producing an effect? (A), or is it the result of an action? (E).