What is the difference between affect and effect?

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What is the difference between affect and effect?

The words "affect" and "effect" are often confused due to their similar spellings and pronunciations. However, they have different meanings and functions in a sentence.

"Affect" is primarily used as a verb, and it refers to the action of influencing or producing a change in something or someone. It is used to describe the impact or emotional response caused by something. For example, "The loud noise affected my concentration" or "Her speech affected the audience deeply."

On the other hand, "effect" is primarily used as a noun, and it refers to the result or consequence of an action or event. It represents the outcome or the end result of something. For example, "The effect of the medication was immediate" or "The new policy had a positive effect on the company's profits."

To summarize, "affect" is a verb that describes the action of influencing or producing a change, while "effect" is a noun that represents the result or consequence of an action. Remembering this distinction can help avoid confusion between these two words.